Willie Wiredhand ?

Apparently Willie Wiredhand was the electric co-op version of Reddy Kilowatt (who was reserved for electric power companies ?).

Willie Wiredhand

 Instead of lightning bolts, Willie had a lamp socket for his head (the on-off switch was his nose) and a 2 wire plug as his legs/feet.  Willie seems a little more safety conscious.  Also, his name ends with hand so like a hired hand, Willie is there to serve your reasonable requests.  Reddy just seems to symbolize danger - but isn't danger even more enticing to kids ?  

An internet search will bring up lots of info on Willie and Reddy including a law suit.  Apparently whenever anything was to be explained to kids in the 20th century a cartoon character was required :)

Best Regards,
Chuck, WB9KZY
http://wb9kzy.com/ham.htm