The master of the house is waiting for dinner. He’s angry because his wife is having a jolly time driving about with her friend while he sits home alone, and undoubtedly he’ll have to wait a long time before she’s back to prepare the meal. Surprisingly, dinner is ready immediately after her return. How is this possible? Just one of the miracles you can perform by using an electric oven purchased from Halis!
While it’s true that street lighting, elevators, and public transportation powered by electricity were already common urban conveniences in the early 20th century, electricity burst into domestic life after World War I, drastically changing daily routines and time administration. Innovative electric appliances such as irons, vacuum cleaners, toasters, and ovens promised to alleviate the workload of modern women, then a significant part of the workforce but still responsible for housekeeping and food preparation.
[Reklama piecyków do pieczenia] depicts a childish male character focused on eating, smoking, and reading the newspaper, who depends entirely on his wife, a vital and active character who’s mastered the technological devices of modern life (e. g., electrical appliances and cars), as well as her own schedule. This woman might be the ancestor of our ideal (though stressed) contemporary superwoman: she is independent and dynamic but also beautiful and supportive, without ever losing her smile.
Halis was originally a small factory in Poland producing ceramic stoves. This commercial shows that later they also offered electric heaters and ovens. Although the director and original title of the film remain unknown, this is one of the earliest existing Polish commercials. In terms of style it is unique, as most of the other surviving Polish commercials of this period are more like animated posters, without a storyline.

Michał Pieńkowski, Virginia Bonilla Durán