As I am going through my late parents’ stuff I am discovering interesting things, most of which I have been able positively identify. But there were a few that took a bit to figure out. That gave me the idea for a new thread - “What is this?”, figuring that the mental cornucopia that is Mudspike, can identify just about anything. 
So to kick things off, what is this?
I think it has something to do with de-magnitizing a CRT/old style color TV tube…Dad was an EE so something he might have had.
a degaussing tool makes more sense than my original guess, a coffee cup warmer 
Actually it might be an antenna
I’d go for antenna as well.
Looks like you got it. Google “degaussing ring” or “degaussing coil” on images and a similar device comes up.
Antenna that plugs into a wall socket? 
found it Color TV purifier/degaussing tool
That makes sense! My Dad used to work on our color TV. Thanks.
So…probably shouldn’t power it up around my hard drives.
EDIT: I like the “Convenient clip for hanging on back of set when not in use.” Alas the clip was not found. Probably still on the back of the TV set.
Some more info here too, it even has a picture of the same device with a pink housing:
Too cool.
I recall that when the might ship USS GUAM went through degaussing, a couple of TVs had distorted colors for a while.
Sorry… Was at my phone and screen is small. 
Didn’t notice the plug!
Cool!
Older CRT displays used to have a Degauss button…
I used to press it just for the great noise. DUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. 
