The Official Vintage Curtis Mathes site by Glenn Waters
The Official Vintage Curtis Mathes site by Glenn Waters
Curtis Mathes, Vintage Electronics, Televisions, Stereos, Radios, VCRs, Multiplexes, Speakers, Eight Track Players, Cassette Tape Decks, Reel to Reel Players, Wall to Wall Entertainment Centers, Curtis Mathes LPs, Camcorders, Mathes Coolers and Fans, Made in the USA. Design
Welcome to the Curtis Mathes Vintage Site by Glenn Waters, here we cover every aspect of the early days and the golden era of Curtis Mathes. From the early days of the Mathes Cooler Fans the the start of the Curtis Mathes Electronics Company. We cover every aspect from the first Curtis Mathes televisions to the last television to come off the assembly line in Athens Texas. Curtis Mathes Advertisements, Curtis Mathes Stereos, Curtis Mathes wall to wall complete Entertainment Centers, Curtis Mathes VCR Players and recorders, Curtis Mathes Camcorder, Curtis Mathes LPs and Records, Curtis Mathes Reel to Reel, Console Television Combos, Curtis Mathes Cassette Players, there is so much more, the list of electronics is amazing. Today Curtis Mathes today stands as a reminder of an era when televisions were crafted as enduring centerpieces of the living room, combining reliable performance, thoughtful engineering, and sophisticated design into a single statement of American craftsmanship. Curtis Mathes will always be remembered as one of America's most respected names in premium home entertainment. In the 1980s The Curtis Mathes - Las Colinas Design Group, led by visionary designer Glenn Waters, earned acclaim for merging architectural proportion with technological precision. Their design philosophy emphasized harmony between form and function, ensuring every Curtis Mathes console served not simply as an electronic device, but as a centerpiece of gracious living.
The Mathes Cooler Fans Department at the Curtis Mathes Plant in Austin Texas in the 1950 Stood as a Symbol of American Craftsmanship, Innovation, and Pride
This Large Mathes Cool Fan was Built to Move Tremendous Volumes of Air through Gymnasiums, Factories, Warehouses, Theaters, Schools, Church Halls, and other expansive public spaces. Built to last by Dedicated Employees of Curtis Mathes
The Photo above and the one beneath show the largest to the smallest of the Mathes Coolers. Built to Move Air. Built to Last.
At the Curtis Mathes Austin Plant, every Mathes Cooler Fan was built with the same dedication to quality workmanship and dependable performance that became the hallmark of the company. Skilled craftsmen carefully assembled each fan, combining sturdy construction, precision-balanced aluminum blades, powerful motors, and handsome furniture-quality cabinets designed to provide years of reliable service.
Whether producing a compact portable model or one of the largest commercial circulators, the goal remained the same: to deliver maximum airflow with quiet, dependable operation. Every fan leaving the factory reflected the pride of the men and women who built it, carrying with it the reputation for quality that Curtis Mathes customers had come to trust.
The smaller Mathes Cooler Fans were ideal companions for motel rooms, tourist cabins, bedrooms, offices, workshops, and travelers seeking comfort wherever the road might lead. Easy to place and powerful beyond their size, these units brought refreshing circulation to spaces large and small.
For larger demands, Curtis Mathes engineers developed heavy-duty models capable of moving tremendous volumes of air through gymnasiums, factories, warehouses, theaters, schools, church halls, and other expansive public spaces. These larger fans helped keep workers productive, audiences comfortable, and buildings ventilated even during the hottest Texas summers.
From the smallest room to the largest auditorium, there was a Mathes Cooler Fan designed for the job. Built in Austin, Texas, and crafted with pride, these remarkable fans represented more than machinery. They represented American workmanship, engineering excellence, and the belief that a quality product should perform faithfully for years to come.
"Small enough for a cabin, powerful enough for a factory. A Mathes Cooler Fan for every room under the Texas sun and the world." #austintexas #curtismathesplant #austincurtismathes #curtismathesresearch #mathescooler #mathescoolerfans.
the smallest of the Mathes Coolers was Built to Move Air and Built to Last, At the Curtis Mathes Austin Plant, every Mathes Cooler Fan was Built with the Same Dedication to Quality Workmanship and Dependable Performance that became the Hallmark of the Company
The Mathes Cooler Fans Department
Curtis Mathes Manufacturing Company, Austin, Texas Before the devastating fire that forever changed a chapter of the Austin plant's history, the Mathes Cooler Fans Department stood as a symbol of American craftsmanship, innovation, and pride. Within these busy aisles, skilled employees transformed wood cabinetry, precision motors, polished aluminum fan blades, and carefully engineered components into some of the finest home cooling fans of the era. Each fan that moved down the assembly line represented the dedication of the men and women who built it. From the fitting of the motors and blades to the finishing of the handsome wood cabinets and final inspection, every step reflected the Curtis Mathes commitment to quality. The completed fans were carefully boxed and shipped across Texas and beyond, bringing comfort to thousands of homes during the hot summers of the 1950s.The department was more than machinery and production lines. It was a workplace where friendships were formed, skills were learned, and families depended upon the steady work provided by the growing company. The sight of completed Mathes Cooler Fans rolling toward the shipping docks was a daily reminder of what American manufacturing could achieve when craftsmanship and determination worked together. Today, this scene serves as a tribute to the employees whose hands built these remarkable products and to the spirit of the Austin plant before tragedy struck. Their work helped establish the reputation for quality that would make the Curtis Mathes name respected throughout the years that followed. "Built with pride in Austin, Texas, where every fan carried the workmanship, dedication, and hopes of the people who made it." #austintexas #curtismathesfire #mathesfire #curtismathesplantfire #austincurtismathesfire #curtismathesresearch #mathescooler #mathescoolerfans
This Large Mathes Cool Fan was Built to Move Tremendous Volumes of Air through Gymnasiums, Factories, Warehouses, Theaters, Schools, Church Halls, and other expansive public spaces. Built to last by Dedicated Employees of Curtis Mathes
The photo below tells it all: Big Air for Big Spaces! Built to Move Air. Built to Last.
At the Curtis Mathes Austin Plant, every Mathes Cooler Fan was built with the same dedication to quality workmanship and dependable performance that became the hallmark of the company. Skilled craftsmen carefully assembled each fan, combining sturdy construction, precision-balanced aluminum blades, powerful motors, and handsome furniture-quality cabinets designed to provide years of reliable service.
Whether producing a compact portable model or one of the largest commercial circulators, the goal remained the same: to deliver maximum airflow with quiet, dependable operation. Every fan leaving the factory reflected the pride of the men and women who built it, carrying with it the reputation for quality that Curtis Mathes customers had come to trust.
The smaller Mathes Cooler Fans were ideal companions for motel rooms, tourist cabins, bedrooms, offices, workshops, and travelers seeking comfort wherever the road might lead. Easy to place and powerful beyond their size, these units brought refreshing circulation to spaces large and small.
For larger demands, Curtis Mathes engineers developed heavy-duty models capable of moving tremendous volumes of air through gymnasiums, factories, warehouses, theaters, schools, church halls, and other expansive public spaces. These larger fans helped keep workers productive, audiences comfortable, and buildings ventilated even during the hottest Texas summers.
From the smallest room to the largest auditorium, there was a Mathes Cooler Fan designed for the job. Built in Austin, Texas, and crafted with pride, these remarkable fans represented more than machinery. They represented American workmanship, engineering excellence, and the belief that a quality product should perform faithfully for years to come.
"Small enough for a cabin, powerful enough for a factory. A Mathes Cooler Fan for every room under the Texas sun and the world." #austintexas #curtismathesplant #austincurtismathes #curtismathesresearch #mathescooler #mathescoolerfans
Big Air for Big Spaces! Built to Move Air. Built to Last.
At the Curtis Mathes Austin Plant, every Mathes Cooler Fan was Built with the same Dedication to Quality Workmanship and Dependable Performance that Became the Hallmark of the Company. Skilled Craftsmen Carefully Assembled each Fan, Combining Sturdy Construction for Years of Dependable Service
Team Work is the Dream Work, Mathes Cooler Fans, this one is Spinning as Smooth as Silk, Built to Last by People who Care about your Needs
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Recent Photos
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Recent Blog Entries
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The wonderful Mathes Fans and Coolers the start of an era.
The wonderful Mathes Fans and Coolers the start of an era.
These two beautiful Mathes Cooler were saved and restored by Mike Feuerborn, His Beautiful Restoration of a Mathes Cooler Fans just shows what can be done with an American classic.
In the video below is Grantley Waters and his restored 1947 Mathes Cooler Fan in a
Wooden Cabinet
The two photos below are of a very cool MATHES electric fan, Eames era, deco styling, works incredible, quiet and with super airflow and in great condition wood top, brushed aluminum louvered sides, 10" deep 16" wide 18" tall
Grantley Waters and his restoration of a 1947 Mathes Cooler Fan.
The three photos below are of Jim Snelling's wonderful cooler made 1948 by the Mathes Cooler Fan Company in Texas.
The three photos below are of Jim Snelling's wonderful cooler made 1948 by the Mathes Cooler Fan Company in Texas.
The three photo above and the one below is of a Mathes Cooler Model 492 which is a nice large Electric Fan with variable speed control and a very nice wood cabinet with a wonderful metal grill. She has the original coarboard box and is great condition for her age. Looks not to have the original screws. She has a HI and LO selector but you can choose any speed between those (it is not about two speeds it is about a lot of speeds to choose from).
It was following World War II that George Curtis Mathes named his company Mathes Coolers. They manufactured fans, evaporative coolers, and room air conditioners, the first popular line of these products offered in Texas, and later in the western United States. He also manufactured furniture by contract and high quality cabinetry for his own products.
Six hour test run of a restored 1947 Mathes Cooler Fan.
The photos above and below are of a very sweet original 4 speed Mathes Cooler wood case fan in wonderful working condition. This fan measures 19' wide 15' tall and 8'' deep. The fan runs quite on all 4 speeds as she still has the original motor. All adjustable fins are still attached and are in good condition. The wooden case has wear marks but is still very tight and strong.
Mike Feuerborn Beautiful Restoration of a Mathes Cooler Fan
Mike Feuerborn Beautiful Restoration of a Mathes Cooler Fan
Just look at this wonderful restoration. Mike Feuerborn has done two beautiful restorations on Mathes Cooler Fans, thanks to men like him a wonderful world of Cooler fan history and amazement is being saved for future generations.
It is hard to believe that the Mathes Fan above once looked like the Cooler Fan below, but that was what she looked like when Mike got her.
With a great deal of skill and love the beauty can be brought back to these wonderful old girls.
With a great deal of skill and love the beauty can be brought back to these wonderful old girls.
It is folks like Mike that give us hope for the future by saving parts of our past for future generations to enjoy and appreciate.
It is folks like Mike that give us hope for the future by saving parts of our past for future generations to enjoy and appreciate.
Mathes Cooler Fan Restoration by Grantley Waters.
Mathes Cooler Fan Restoration by Grantley Waters.
This is a Mathes Cooler Fan that Grantley Waters is doing a restoration on.
She is a 1947 Mathes Cooler Fan in a Wooden Cabinet, with the original Electric Fan and motor.
She is a 1947 Mathes Cooler Fan in a Wooden Cabinet, with the original Electric Fan and motor.
This is a great restorations project for a young person to work on. Working on one of these can teach someone about Fans, Moters, and how Electric Fans work.
The Mathes Company Later became Curtis Mathes,Made in the USA, Made in Texas, The Mathes Company had plants in Athens,Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth back in the golden age when American made stuff. The first thing Grantley did was to take the back off and do a good cleaning.
The Mathes Company Later became Curtis Mathes,Made in the USA, Made in Texas, The Mathes Company had plants in Athens,Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth back in the golden age when American made stuff. The first thing Grantley did was to take the back off and do a good cleaning.
A little hard work and cleaning can give your Mathes Cooler Fan new life.
A little hard work and cleaning can give your Mathes Cooler Fan new life.
t is a labor of love, and a piece of American history,as well as a part of our nations pride.
t is a labor of love, and a piece of American history,as well as a part of our nations pride.
It is well worth the effort to keep these American made fans going for the next generation to enjoy and appreciate.
It is well worth the effort to keep these American made fans going for the next generation to enjoy and appreciate.
The links below are of Grantley's videos of his work on this model:
Grantley Waters and his restoration of a 1947 Mathes Cooler Fan. http://youtu.be/JSShvzmfzEw
Grantley Waters and his restoration of a 1947 Mathes Cooler Fan part two. http://youtu.be/LfDCOjtRgeA
Grantley Waters and the six hour test run of the 1947 Mathes Cooler http://youtu.be/C5WgMbkbhQU
Grantley Waters and his restored 1947 Mathes Cooler Fan in a Wooden Cabinet http://youtu.be/faolfQ0LCYc
A very nice Mathes Cooler Fan Model 544 box fan. With a high and low switch. Works wonderfully despite being 60 years old.
Has a very cool Box design kind of modern Danish.
