The Toaster Project

Thomas Thwaites wrote this book about his “heroic attempt to build a simple electric appliance from scratch.”  

Beginning with a simple goal - to build a toaster - Thomas tells a brilliant story about his attempts and failures over the course of a year to make a £2.99 Argos electrical appliance by himself.

Aside from being highly entertaining, the book examples the way in which everyday things are made. The story taps into history, consumerism, globalisation, post-industrial capitalism, electronics, sustainability and a DIY education in materials as Thwaites attempts to make things such as steel, plastic and copper from scratch, using tools, moulds and machines he is often making himself.

What's the best bit?

Our favourite part is the expedition to Knoydart, where Thomas and a friend are attempting to find a Mica mine. Mica, is a silvery-grey sheet that wire heating elements are wrapped around. Generally this material is mined in China or India, but Thomas discovers that during World War 2 the UK mined this from the north of Scotland. After discovering that GPS doesn’t work in the highlands of Scotland; Thomas is forced to get drunk with the west coast locals and asks directions to find Mica on the Scottish rockfaces.  

Related titles -

Stuff Matters - Mark Miodownik

Home-Made Europe - Vladimir Arkhipov

To find out more about the realities of mass production read our article Christmas: Handmade In China