Vintage “The Lemon” AC Surge Protector, Bright Yellow Desktop Power Block, Made in U.S.A.
Viridian Eclection
The Piece
A vintage AC surge protector branded The Lemon, finished in saturated lemon yellow with bold red lettering.
The casing is a compact, almost sculptural cube. Six grounded outlets sit in a grid across the front face, and red and green indicator lights are set into the top.
The markings are legible and specific. The unit is marked 15A 125V, and carries the safety line 15 Amp Circuit Limit, Do Not Overload. Instructions on the back state that the lights indicate normal operation and that an unlit light indicates fuse or circuit failure.
The surface shows scuffs, finish wear and use consistent marks.
History & Provenance
The unit is marked Protect Devices, Waltham, Massachusetts 02155, and Made in U.S.A. The zip code in the address is part of the molded marking.
The Lemon is the product name, carried as a trademark on the casing. The dating rests on the styling and the markings rather than on a date stamp, which place it in the late twentieth century.
The look belongs to a moment when utility electronics were given real graphic treatment. The front facing outlet grid, the primary color casing and the exposed indicator lights read somewhere between office equipment, novelty electronics and pop industrial design, and the naming follows the same logic.
Product Details
| Item Type | Vintage AC surge protector, desktop power block |
| Brand | The Lemon |
| Manufacturer | Marked Protect Devices, Waltham, Massachusetts 02155 |
| Origin | Marked Made in U.S.A. |
| Era | Late twentieth century. Exact production date to be confirmed |
| Form | Compact cube casing with six front facing grounded outlets |
| Color | Bright lemon yellow with red lettering |
| Indicator Lights | Red and green indicator lights on the top face |
| Marks | 15A 125V, and 15 Amp Circuit Limit, Do Not Overload. Back notes state that the lights indicate normal operation and that an unlit light indicates fuse or circuit failure |
| Dimensions | To be confirmed |
| Condition | Vintage condition with visible age, scuffs, finish wear and use consistent surface marks visible in the photographs |
| Use | Recommended as decor and not for electrical use |
Why It Belongs in Your Home
Color is the hardest thing to find in old technology, which is almost uniformly gray. This one arrived yellow, and that alone makes it useful on a desk or a shelf.
It sits well in a studio, a home office, or on a shelf of analog technology where the interest is in how ordinary equipment used to look. The cube form means it reads as an object rather than as a cord accessory.
For a collector of design ephemera or industrial pop, the appeal is the clarity of the thing: a single strong color, a grid of outlets, a name with a sense of humor, and American manufacture stated on the case. It is offered as decor rather than as working equipment.
Every piece is packed with professional-grade materials: multiple foam layers, double-boxing, directional and fragile handling labels. For large furniture we use custom timber crating. We photograph packing before dispatch and can provide images on request.
White-glove delivery is complimentary within 100 miles of Reno, NV. National shipping quotes provided at checkout. All shipments are photographed and documented. Damage claims must be filed with the carrier; we provide all documentation needed to support your claim.
Local pickup is available at Viridian HQ (Reno, NV) with 2–4 days notice. Contact us to arrange. Private viewings also available.
All antique and vintage items are sold as described and all sales are final. Each listing includes detailed condition notes and photographs so you can make a fully informed decision. We encourage buyers to ask questions — about condition, dimensions, finish, provenance — before purchasing.
Antiques are irreplaceable and one-of-a-kind. Carrier handling is outside our control once a piece has left our facility, and major carriers including FedEx do not insure antiques. We do everything within our power to ensure safe transit, but cannot accept liability for carrier damage. If damage occurs in transit, we will provide full documentation to support your carrier claim.
Have a question? — we're happy to provide additional photos, condition detail, or discuss the piece directly.
