And how was this used? Home? or Displays?

[phillyreading]

Any more I would say it is a display piece as it is antigue, the knife style switches have been replaced by self-contained toggle switches that are much safer to use.
Half way agree with Poppa_Zit about the resemblance of this piece to the old Frankenstein movie, although the one in Frankenstein was much larger in size it does look close to it.
Lee F.

[prewardude]

Those were used for controlling accessories, lights, switches, etc. They were also used for controlling the signals on the 440 signal bridges. In fact, the 440 signal bridges came packed with these control panels. MTH is currently making repros of both:
http://www.mthtrains.com/detail.asp?item=10-4039

Regards,
Clint

[Poppa_Zit]

Wasn't that on the laboratory wall during the 1930s film version of Frankenstein?

[BobbyDing]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lionel-440C-Panel-Board-1930s_W0QQitemZ6051605382QQcategoryZ4145QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting