Shown here in this youtube video
Attached to the Kitchen Sink Faucet, and I have no idea what it might be
A 1963 Electro Sink Center, apparently.
Now that we know what it is, the next question is why would we want it? Why would you want a blender and mixer attached to your sink. Not only would that mean they’re in about an awkward spot as possible (as close to the back of the counter as they can be and semi-behind the sink/faucet), but also, you can’t move them.
And they’re still electric. If they were driven by water pressure, that might make sense, but they’re not. This would be like having a toaster built into the side of your refrigerator or a microwave dishwasher combo.
Early product placement.
What, Coke made those!?
Read the comments in the link above. The contraption swung out over the sink if you used the blender or mixer. So it was closer to you and already over the sink so super easy to clean.
If it was ‘product placement’ wouldn’t you expect Laura to use at least part of it?
Here is a better picture: https://live.staticflickr.com/8219/8377155049_6a3361cd11_b.jpg
I must have missed that, I thought I clicked through all the pictures/directions. But even so, it really only hinged forward a bit. It still seems like more of a hassle than having independent appliances.
Yes, but it saved counter space. Instead of having to deal with multiple kitchen devices and find a spot to put hem, you could put them all behind the sink, a space that was out-of-the-way and not used for much.
I totally agree. On the whole, it seems like a complete pain in the ass.
Thanks for the answers.
agree with hajario, it looks like a really big PITA.
Yes, if it was product placement, the brand name would be much more prominently displayed, and Laura would have at least a line or two about how nifty it was.
Rather, it’s just a matter of set design. Having it there helps show that the Petries are stylish, up-to-date folks, who have the latest modern conveniences in their modest but fashionable home.
It’s 1950’s idea of the future! Here it stands, the perfect symbol of our technical society. Mechanised, electronicised, and not very human.
It’s both cool and stupid simultaneously. It’s Schroedinger’s Appliance.
notfrommensa, kudos for an interesting and educational GQ! 
I see it had controls to set water temp.
So, you wouldn’t need a connection to the hot water tank?
I like the gadget. The juicer & blender would be convenient for mixing drinks. Laura and Rob entertained a lot.
Pretty sure making popular 1960’s cocktails was it’s main use.
My business partner bought a ca. 1965 house last year and the bar area has a built-in mixer in the counter surface. It’s a standard Oster (or some other) and is completely flush with the surface. You just remove the little cap and jam your mixer container on it to mix a drink.
I saw a built-in mixer (actually a pair of them) in a house that The Property Brothers were viewing, proposing to renovate it for the family of the week.
This thing would have had the distinct capability of electrocuting its user, I would think. GFCI wasn’t invented until 1961, and most likely few homes had them installed. Having this thing co-located with the water supply would have been just asking for trouble.
One of the linked articles said this went for $399 in 1963. In today’s dollars that about $3,280. Did comedy writers make that much money? Seems totally out of scale with the rest of their house.
I thought this was going to be about Millie Helper.