Can anyone tell me how this heater worked on my Popmatic. See pics

[Stotman]

The first picture shows the chamber that holds the popcorn and this chamber lowers into the oil. Notice the electrodes sticking down from the bottom.

The second picture shows the copper straps in the oil chamber that contact the electrodes on the popcorn chamber thus completing the circuit.

I do not see where the heating element was attached. So my theory is it was attached between the electrodes.

This setup is very unsafe and I will modernize this setup, but I am just curious as to how it worked.

Any thoughts?

Pics here:

http://1937popmatic.blogspot.com

[Stotman]

Well, I think the mystery is solved. My friend informed me that the copper straps in the photo heat up and become the heat source.

[Jim]

Do the copper straps have holes at the end?  It's hard to see but it appears there is a hole at end of each copper strap...
If this is the case, I would think a heating element of some sort attached to the copper straps...

[Stotman]

No holes. Apparently, those straps will become very hot.