German AEG Electric Fan

This collectible‑grade electric fan was manufactured by Germany’s AEG (Allgemeine Elektricitäts‑Gesellschaft). Its grille and internal mechanism are entirely made of copper, qualifying it today as a genuine antique‑class fan.

Mechanical fans date back to 1830. Inspired by clockwork mechanisms, an American named James Byron invented a spring‑driven mechanical fan that could be mounted to ceilings. Its rotating blades delivered gentle cooling breezes, yet it required climbing a ladder to wind the spring, which was quite cumbersome.

In 1880, American Schuyler Wheeler first attached fan blades to an electric motor. Once powered on, the blades spun rapidly and produced refreshing gusts of wind — this was the world’s very first electric fan.

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