This object is an old-fashioned damper control, once a common feature in homes with convection-flow hot air furnaces. These controls, often located on walls or floors, operated a system of mechanical dampers within the heating ducts. The chain would be pulled or adjusted using the dial to open or close the dampers, controlling the flow of hot air to different rooms in the house.
In homes heated by convection-flow furnaces, which relied on the natural movement of warm air rising and cool air sinking, these controls were vital for regulating the temperature in various living spaces. Homeowners could adjust the dampers to redirect heat where it was most needed, especially in larger homes with multiple rooms or floors. The mechanism was relatively simple but effective for managing comfort levels before modern thermostats and HVAC systems became standard.
