Ti cucino l’archivio. La Società elettrica bresciana (1905-1963) nell’Archivio storico ENEL

Culinary recipes have surprisingly surfaced in the archives of the Brescia Electric Company (SEB), which operated from 1905 to 1963 in the provinces of Brescia, Mantua, and Cremona. These culinary gems shed light on a 1935 marketing initiative aimed at popularizing electricity for household use. The focus extended to the production and circulation of household appliances, particularly the ‘white line’ and its merchandise. Through the ‘Kitchen Referendum’ competition, the company sought to capture attention, encourage greater energy use in ‘civilian homes,’ and gather feedback on their appliances. By inviting users to submit recipes prepared with the ‘new’ kitchens for a chance to win prizes, the initiative amassed over 150 recipes. These culinary creations not only allow a fascinating glimpse into life, customs, culture, and gastronomy but also served as a means to engage with users. In the background, with a role that is anything but passive, is the Enel Historical Archive, the current custodian of the SEB collection. This collection includes an archival heritage of around 13,000 linear meters consisting of administrative, asset, accounting, technical, and audiovisual documentation produced not only by Enel, but also by the approximately 1,300 companies that operated in Italy prior to the nationalization of electric power.