A kettle similar to this one is illustrated in the 1908 A.E.G. catalogue where it is described in a section headed 'Electric Tea and Water Kettles' as "Messing vernichelt, streifenartig gehammert, runde Form" ('nickel-plated brass, machine-hammered stripe decoration, round shape'). The V&A example, however, lacks the 'A.E.G.' logo and differs from the original version in the design of its element. In the 1908 Behrens kettle, the element is a solid rod encased in a sleeve and connected to the socket. It heats the water from within the body of the kettle itself, and is simple to replace because it is designed to slide in and out of the sleeve. The element for the V&A example is crudely bolted to the base of the kettle. The difference between the two designs is also apparent in the position of the kettle sockets: in the Behrens original, the socket is situated at the base of the body of the kettle; the socket on the V&A kettle sits below the body and at the top of the foot ring.