WIRED AL

I was replacing some outlets in a house that was built in the 1950's. I ran across 4 of these outlets. The top and bottom half is isolated from each other. There are 2 120 volt wires, with one going to each side of the outlet.
I have never seen anything like this and everyone that i have showed it too has not either. That is not paint filling in part of the slot at the
top, that is the slot. Really strange.
Above the top portion it is marled AERIEL. Below the top half is marked GROUND. Below the bottom half is marked POWER.
There are no manufacturing make stamped on it just patented ND OTHER PAT'S PENDING.
It is also marked 10 AMPS 250 VOLTS AND 20 AMPS 125 VOLTS.
Anyone know what these were used for?
Thanks in advance.

MDShunk

That's a "radio receptacle". The antenna plugged into the top half.

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WIRED AL

MDShunk - Thank you for that information.
What I cannot figure out is why it had 120 volts on that side also. Was that normal?

Speedy Petey

If you are sure it was 120v then it was way wrong.

"Aerial" was the common word for TV or radio antenna back in the day. Watch a few episodes of "The Honeymooners", you'll hear it sooner or later.

The house I grew up in was built in the 50's. It had some plates with three round holes in a triangle pattern. These were "aerial" plates as well.
The one you have there is most likely a radio antenna as Marc said.

itsunclebill

Wikipedia has some interesting stuff under "old and unusual plugs and sockets" Maybe we ought to put together our own collectors's corner of some of this odd stuff.