1990's Superior Electric Powerstart Variable Auto Transformer 3PN116C

Description

Basically in its original condition.  Was used to help develop Pizza Hut's electric pizza delivery bags in the late 1990's and has been in a storage tote ever since.
A little Pizza Delivery History:
Domino's rolled out their Heatwave Hot Pizza Delivery to Your Door campaign and, within months, took around 20% of market share from all other competitors.  The impact was so significant that, according to industry executives, if you were delivering pizza without a heated delivery system, you would not be in the pizza business for long.
Domino's system used a pre-heated gel/metal "brick" that was placed in the bottom of the bag just before pizzas were loaded for delivery.  Pizza Hut opted to have heated bags.  They were plugged in while in the store to pre-heat the bag and enclosed air.  Then they were plugged into the delivery car's cigarette lighter to remain heated.  Pizza Hut's first test system did not perform well so they actively searched for an alternative.  This autotransformer was used by me to help develop that replacement system (and has been in a box ever since).
Our system was field tested in Chicago, Orlando and Dallas and was ready for national roll-out in 1998.  BUT, Domino's market share gains were diminishing each month and it soon became apparent that those industry executives applauding heated delivery were wrong.  The main issue: the pizza pies arrived at homes
too hot
to eat.  Anyone that couldn't wait to bite into their pie and then had their mouth burnt by delicious melting cheese and sauces can understand the problem.  Houses were filled with the smell of temptation but the family had to fidget while waiting and waiting and waiting for the pizza to cool enough.  Better insulated bags became the answer and have been the industry norm ever since.