I found one of those ceramic space heaters in the apartment complex dumpster. It did not work, most likely because the power cord was damaged at the point of entry into the heater. I then ripped it apart, and clearly observed that a) this thing had been around the block...several times, and b) it was owned by a prolific cigarette smoker.
Sticky brown deposits lined the inside of heater and the fan blades, and plenty of dust cake had built up as well with a brown color and reeking odor of tobacco.
The most likely scenario is that this heater was purchased, shoved under a desk, plugged in, turned on, and forgotten about for three or four years. Also forgotten about were any and all forms of housekeeping in the apartment. When college was finished and it was time to move out, it had done its duty and was tossed. Just like the air conditioners around here which usually run from March up until mid-December (about when the landlady begins forcing people to remove them or else pay their own heat), the heater probably ran all summer long IN TANDEM with the air conditioner. As Bill Engvall of Blue Collar Comedy says, Here's your sign!