Wednesday, May 25, 2011

ABC Wednesday: S is for squeegee

You probably think I've have taken leave of my senses, or become desperate for an S photo, or both.  Well my little chickadees, the humble squeegee has a definite Oakland connection.  In fact, it was invented here by Ettore Steccone in 1936, an Italian immigrant and window washer.  Check out your squeegee; good chance it says Ettore Products.  Made in Oakland until five years ago, the factory has now moved across the estuary to our neighbor city, Alameda.  Accept no substitutes.  But do visit other "S" photos at Mrs. Nesbitt's meme, ABC Wednesday.
Posted by Oakland Daily Photo at 12:01 AM
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17 comments:

  1. AndyMay 24, 2011 at 6:00 PM

    That is an interesting fact about the squeegee. It's amazing that it's still made in the USA. So much manufacturing is now done offshore. That's an excellent photo you posted.

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  2. VioletSkyMay 24, 2011 at 6:45 PM

    This made me laugh - I was at a gas station today and it was 'customer appreciation day' so they were cleaning our windshields (while we did our own self serve)! I'll have to find mine and check the name on it.

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  3. Bob CroweMay 24, 2011 at 7:01 PM

    Very hard to decipher from the thumbnail, which got my interest. Best if handled by a professional and not some suspicious guy at a stop light.

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  4. Roger Owen GreenMay 24, 2011 at 7:11 PM

    Used to hate the squeegee guys in NYC in the 1970s, who are fortunately gone.

    ROG, ABC Wednesday team

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  5. Kay L. DaviesMay 24, 2011 at 8:01 PM

    Wow, squeegee history! Whodathunkit?
    And I did identify it from the thumbnail photo.
    — K

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  6. Tumblewords:May 24, 2011 at 8:26 PM

    Spring is coming, so I'll be searching for my squeegee and maybe your post will make window cleaning easier this year! Great post!

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  7. Sylvia KMay 24, 2011 at 8:30 PM

    Love your post for the S Day!! You definitely made my evening!! And what a great shot it is! Hope your week is going well! Enjoy!!

    Sylvia
    ABC Team

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  8. magiceyeMay 24, 2011 at 8:51 PM

    lovely take on the theme

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  9. RajeshMay 24, 2011 at 9:06 PM

    That is a nice choice and wonderful usage.

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  10. JamaMay 24, 2011 at 9:26 PM

    Interesting choice! I think I have one at home, need to search for since I prefer to use newspaper to clean my window, it gives a great shine!

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  11. HildaMay 24, 2011 at 11:49 PM

    Thank you to Mr Steccone, then. His little invention has made cleaning glass (and tiles too, for that matter) sooo much easier!

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  12. Reader WilMay 25, 2011 at 2:03 AM

    I used my squeegee this week and I've checked it right now. It says: "Vileda". Does that ring a bell? Anyway I like your post very much! It shows originality!

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  13. aspiritofsimplicityMay 25, 2011 at 12:02 PM

    My son works in Alemeda and (he's in the Coast Guard) and lives in Oakland. I wonder if he knows all of this about the squeegee

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  14. Louis la VacheMay 25, 2011 at 2:15 PM

    hee hee...
    You've done a public service. «Louis» has seen Ettore in Alameda (they are at Harbor Bay) when he goes to pick things up at Semifreddi's. He had been intending to do a Google search to see what he could learn about Ettore. Their logo is reminiscent of Ferrari's - and the founder of Ferrari was Ettore Ferrari, so «Louis» thought there might be a car connection. Well, perhaps there is if an Ettore squeegee cleans your windshield...

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  15. MerylMay 26, 2011 at 5:19 AM

    Great post. I leave with a Smile!

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  16. FranciscaMay 28, 2011 at 3:14 AM

    You made this chickadee howl! Stupendous S post, your squeegee history... and the shot rocks.

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  17. GunnJune 3, 2011 at 6:08 AM

    That was a good choice!!
    A good job, that I also have to do soon.

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