original antique electric switch manufactured for the perkins electric switch mfg. co, in bridgeport, ct. an insulated aluminum shell covers the escapement mechanism within. thinly stamped letters in the metal run around the top, reading "und.labinsp. / perkins 6a 185v. -3a 250v." and "made in the usa". the switch functions by a button-like twistable knob on top, which operates a spring-loaded spindle and rotates two copper blades. this is mounted by screws on an insulating ceramic base that is intact but cracked in two places. on the flat base are diminutive stamped marking the patent date "pat sept 17 1912". charles perkins was born in weare, new hampshire in 1849. his career in the lighting area started with employment at the united states electric light company in bridgeport, connecticut in 1879. it was there, in 1880, that he was in charge of the first public exhibition of an incandescent lighting system, which was installed in the vault area of a safe deposit company in new york city. soon after leaving the u.s. electric lighting company in 1881, perkins became connected with the faure electric storage company, which was afterward developed into the imperial electric light company. perkins gained a reputation as an inventor, and when the perkins electric lamp company was organized in 1889, and the perkins electric switch company in 1891, his name and work were enough to boost the company to immediate commercial success. perkins acquired numerous patents during his lifetime. measures 2 inches in diameter x 2 inches high.