Sad irons, also called flat irons or smoothing irons, are shaped pieces of metal that are flat and polished on one side and have a handle attached to the other, created for the purpose of ironing fabric. “Sad” is an Old English word for “solid,” and the term “sad iron” is often used to distinguish the largest and heaviest of flat irons. They often had a trivet on which to rest the hot iron. These irons are representative of domestic appliances used prior to the advent of electricity in the home.A pair of triangular flat irons. They are made of solid cast iron with hollow iron handles. Flat irons were commonly heated on trivets in front of open fires, or on the tops of closed ranges. They were made in numbered series which related to their size, but there did not appear to be any standardisation in the series between manufacturers.domestic appliances, flat irons, sad irons

Mrs Potts Sad Iron Set . This double point design with detachable handle was patented in the United States of America by Mary Potts in 1871. It was sold in sets of three bodies with one handle and a stand or trivet. The detachable insulated handle was designed to always remain cool for ironing. The handle was detachable, so that several irons could be on the stove at one time and the handle swapped between several bodies. This item is an example of an invention that was universally adopted to make the task of ironing safer and more efficient.A set of double pointed flat irons which detachable handle. This set includes a trivet to rest the unused iron on. All components are made from cast irondomestic appliances, flat irons, sad irons, mrs potts irons

Kerosene lamps were used as a main source of lighting throughout Australia prior to the supply of domestic electrical services. This was obviously later in many rural areas. This lamp was used in the home of Mrs. Gina Elizabeth Harris of Bethanga in Northeast Victoria where electricity was connected on 23 March 1959.This lamp is representative of the lamps used throughout Australia prior to the introduction of domestic electricity supplies. This vintage kerosene lamp is model No. 21 which was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in Greenford, Middlesex, England in the 1950s. Base stems were mostly made from wood, turned into several different patterns. More expensive table lamp stems were of metal. Bases were mostly steel filled with sand as a weight. When Bakelite became available it was used extensively in three different colours, although collectors say that white bases were used primarily in hospitals and churches and are more rare. On wick knob: "21/Aladdin Industries Ltd/GREENFORD" Inscribed around burner: "GB Patent No 9. 69-4273-4"kerosene lamp, bakelite, domestic appliances

North east Victoria was a major dairy producing region in the late nineteenth century. The Wodonga Butter Factory Ltd was established in 1892. Many families living in the town or on farms also owned their own cow for family needs and produced their milk and butter. This churn is representative of the equipment they used to process their own dairy products at home. This churn was made by E. Cherry & Sons which was established in Gisborne, Victoria in 1858. Edward Cherry (1830-1910) arrived in Australia from Hertfordshire, England, in 1855. The business manufactured churns and in 1875 opened a larger factory. On his death, the business was taken over by his son and continued to operate until the 1970s.This item has strong links to the history of Wodonga and north east Victoria. It has interpretative potential in the areas of local agricultural history, and the social history of food and farming.A wooden butter churn with metal turning handle and removable lid. The wooden paddle inside is attached to the turning handle which rotates to churn the butter. The model number is T1. It was probably made by E Cherry & Sons of Gisborne although the brand is blurred.On one side in black: "T 1"butter churns, dairying industry, domestic appliances, e. cherry churns

Electric kettles were invented by the English to speed up tea preparation. In Australia fancy ceramic electric jugs quickly became a status symbol. During the Great Depression era anyone who could offer you a cuppa from a beautiful Electric Kookaburra Jug was considered to be doing well. Made by Nilsen Porcelain Australia in the 193Os, these kettles were unique for their charming art deco bird shape. Nilsen Electric Kookaburra Jugs are now regarded as a classic Australian icon prized by collectors. Oliver John Nilsen was born in Collingwood, Victoria in 1894. In 1916 he began his own electrical business, Oliver J. Nilsen & Co. (later Oliver J. Nilsen (Australia) Ltd). Nilsen's manufactured goods included such diverse products as transformers, bearings, battery chargers, bells, buzzers and gongs, porcelain ware, fuses, insulators and neon signs. Nilsen Porcelain Australia was a smaller company within the Nilsen group. Nilsen still operates as an electro-technology company operating throughout AustraliaThis jug is an excellent example of art deco ceramic appliances of the 1930s to 1950s on both a local and national level. It is also representative of products developed by a major Australian manufacturer. Earthernware ceramic jug, moulded in art deco style to represent an Australian kookaburra.vintage electric kettles, kitchen appliances, nilsen australia

Sets of scales similar to these were very common in households throughout Australia. Between 1960 and 1988 Australia gradually adopted the SI units (Standard International) or metric units. In 1970 the Australian parliament passed the metric conversion act, and the Australian building trades made it the standard in 1974. This information helps to date the set of weights to before the1970s.Domestic scales such as these were common throughout Australian homes. They are now primarily superceded by plastic items, often electronic.Metal table scales with 6 weights graduated in sizes including 1 oz., 2 oz, 4oz, 8oz, 1lb and 2 lbs. Each weight marked "MACK/ MADE IN AUSTRALIA"domestic appliances, weights and measures australia

Sets of scales similar to these were very common in households throughout Australia. Between 1960 and 1988 Australia gradually adopted the SI units (Standard International) or metric units. In 1970 the Australian parliament passed the metric conversion act, and the Australian building trades made it the standard in 1974. This information helps to date the set of weights to before the1970s.Domestic scales such as these were common throughout Australian homes. They are now primarily superceded by plastic items, often electronic. Metal table scales with imperial weights weights and measures australia, table scales, domestic appliances

Kande Kitchenware was established by Patrick Kavanagh and William English in 1922. The name Kande was formed from their initials, K and E. It had its Sydney factory in Little Collins Street, Surrey Hills. Kavanagh and English, a subsidiary of Kande Kitchenware, became a limited company in 1924, with both founders as directors. Another director was Test cricketer Jack Gregory, an all-rounder who slipped easily into the role of businessman. Gregory enjoyed success in business as on the cricket field, helping the company grow from a tiny operation to a major manufacturer and exporter that employed 80 people in 1931. They produced a wide range of utensils including cake tins, pastry cutters, pans and baking dishes. They managed to survive the difficulties of the Depression and were listed as a public company in 1949. Kande Kitchenware Ltd were taken over by Hackshalls Limited 6 July 1960.An appliance made by an early and successful Australian company which manufactured metal kitchen items during the first half of the 20th century. Th.ese utensils were widely used throughout AustraliaFlour sifter manufactured by KANDE Australia. The sifter / sieve is made of metal with a wire mesh and is decororated with images of other kitchen utensils and ingredients. It has a spring-loaded handle to which would be squeezed to operate the internal sifting mechanism.At botton of illustrations on one side "Kande AUSTRALIA"australian business, kande kitchenware, kitchen utensils, kitchenware early 20th century

This fork was made by a member of the Conway family of Wodonga. It was used for making toast over an open fire well before modern toasters become widely available. It demonstrates the ingenuity of early settlers and pioneers before the advent of modern appliances and services. This item demonstrates the ingenuity of earlier pioneers and settlers to adapt to their living conditions and improvise from their available resources and environment.A hand-made wire toasting fork. It has three prongs and the handle is twisted with a loop at the top for hanging. It is made from fencing wire.hand made utensils, kitchen ware, pioneer skills

BHS CollectionSoftcover book with coloured photograph of a large domestic fireplace with various cooking implements. Contains 32 pages of black and white photographs and diagrams of items used in the home from the Middle Ages to the Victorian Era.Jacqueline Fearndomestic equipment, cooking utensils, cooking methods, home appliances, laundry, lighting, eating utensils

Kerosene lamps were used as a main source of lighting throughout Australia prior to the supply of domestic electrical services. This was obviously later in many rural areas. This lamp was used in the home of Mrs. Laura Flower nee Sommer wife of Mr. Stanley Flower of Wodonga.This lamp is representative of the lamps used throughout Australia prior to the introduction of domestic electricity supplies. It was used in the home of a Wodonga resident.This item has a cast iron base in a pyramidal shape with the four sides having an identical leaf and flower design. A piece of brass attaches the base to a clear glass bowl. The bowl contains a white wick. The brass wick holder has an external knob for regulating the light intensity. There is more brass between the bowl and the mantle which is made of plain glass.Inside the base of the lamp: an Rd No which is uncleardomestic appliances, kerosene lamp

Coleman, originally known for making lanterns, made over 30 different models of irons from 1929 to 1948. They generally came in an enamel coloured finish. The best known and most commonly found today is the “Cool Blue” enamel Coleman’s 4A gasoline iron. The Coleman 4A gasoline iron was much lighter than the previous ‘sad irons’ and no longer required to be heated on the stove or by charcoal. Instead, the pump was used to build up pressure in the fuel tank and a match was lit underneath the iron, making a flame inside the iron that would distribute the heat on the surface. Despite these benefits, fuels irons made ironing a potentially dangerous job. They had a very real possibility of causing a fire or exploding. Gas-pressure irons, that had been manufactured as early as 1900, were eventually replaced by electric-powered steam irons, in the 1970s as an affordable and safer alternative.This item is significant because it is an example of domestic appliances used widely throughout the Wodonga District.A self-heating iron which made from metal and enamel plate which included a small tank for fuel which powered the unit. A small wooden pump was used to build up pressure in the iron’s fuel tank. It has a wooden handle.domestic appliances, coleman fuel irons

Irons such as this were very popular prior to the widespread introduction of electricity in Australia. It was manufactured by the Tilley Lamp Company Ltd. In 1818 John and William Henry Tilley established W. H. Tilley, in Stoke Newington, London, England. During WW1 they started to use paraffin as a lamp fuel in pressurised containers. A production plant was established at Hendon, just north of London, and the first commercial lamps were produced after World War 1. During the 1920s the company diversified into domestic lamps. This expanded to other appliances such as heaters and eventually to irons. The use of paraffin or kerosene as a fuel was a much cleaner form of heat, especially when compared to older flat irons which used coal.This item is significant because it is representative of domestic appliances used in the Wodonga District prior to the introduction of electricity throughout the area.Cream coloured iron with a black Bakelite handle which attaches to the fuel tank. It has a steel sole plate. The heat of the iron is provided by a paraffin burner.On Metal plate: Model D.N. 250 Made in England British Pat. 524719 Australian Pat. 114305 On Knob at rear: ON/OFF TILLEYdomestic appliances, tilley paraffin iron, tilley lamp company ltd.

Circular glass lemon squeezer. Raised centre surrounded by about 20 spikes before a type of moat to catch juice. Has spout - for pouring and small extension to hold the squeezer while pouring.domestic items, appliances

Singer was first established as I. M. Singer & Co. in 1851 by Isaac Merritt Singer with New York lawyer Edward C. Clark. Best known for its sewing machines, it was renamed Singer Manufacturing Company in 1865, then the Singer Company in 1963. The Singer company began to market its machines internationally in 1855 and won first prize at the Paris world's fair that year. They had offices established in both Sydney and Melbourne by the mid-1960s. The company demonstrated the first workable electric sewing machine in 1910. Singer was also a marketing innovator and a pioneer in promoting the use of instalment payment plans, making their machines more affordable for many people. According to its serial number, this machine was manufactured in 1950 and was one of the new models designed to be more portable as it only weighed about 10 KG.This sewing machine is of local, national and international significance as it represents developments in technology and the impact this had upon the work of women.The Singer 99 was a sturdy and reliable machine that was easy to use. Lighter than other machines of its time, this machine weighed only 10 Kgs. It is mounted on a wooden base with a small compartment under the balance wheel to store accessories and bobbins. It has a 'Bentwood' (polished plywood) cover which also provided some room for storage. The machine is driven by a small electric motor and a light to illuminate the work area. It is decorated with gold decals and a filigree pattern. It includes a knee control which is inserted in a hole at the front of the machine. The serial number EG045782 indicates it was manufactured in 1950.Across the top in gold script: "The Singer Manufacturing Co. / Made in Great Britain" On light cover: "SINGER" Plate with specifications also attached. On front of machine in oval badge: A CENTURY OF SEWING SERVICE/ THE SINGER MANFG. CO. 1851 - 1951singer sewing macnine, domestic appliances, women's work, technology

Newspaper article: A sustainable award, Diamond Valley Leader, 1 November2006, Architect and building Llewellyn Pritchard won resource Efficiency Housing Award, finalist in HIA Greensmart Building of the Year Award. House – Environmental Leader (Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p186) In 2006 environmental awareness was mushrooming in the community, which is reflected in the award-winning house at Main Road near Wattletree Road, Eltham. At first sight, the building appears a mix of a classic Eltham mud-brick house and an avant-garde building style. The crown of solar panels stretching along the width of the curved roof, indicates that this is no ordinary house. In fact it signals a new building trend of minimal impact on the environment. Yet it utilises the environment with high technical expertise to achieve comfort and cut running and maintenance costs. In recognition of this, its designer/builder, Conscious Homes, won the 2006 National HIA Greensmart Resource Efficiency Award. For Conscious Homes director, Llewellyn Pritchard, this house reflects a philosophy, strengthened by his connection with Aboriginal culture, through his foster siblings. Pritchard believes the sustainable way indigenous Australians lived and their spiritual connection with land, demonstrates how humanity is part of the ecology. His interest in environmental design stemmed from growing up in bushy Eltham Shire, with its mud-brick tradition. This was followed by studying Architecture at RMIT in the early 1980s, and learning about passive solar design. Pritchard says this house demonstrates that environmental sustainability is not about sacrifice, but about exceptional levels of occupant comfort, savings in running costs and modern fittings and appliances.1 The solar panels on the north roofs are intentionally obvious to make a statement about what the building is doing. But inside the systems are hidden and interactive with conventional services, such as the underground water tank. The house is water and energy self-sufficient and at 12 squares is much smaller than conventional houses, to minimise resources. Yet it accommodates his family of four with three bedrooms, a living/dining and kitchen area and a bathroom/laundry. Importantly the building is designed to last hundreds of years, by being able to be modified as the need arises, such as for commercial use. In this way the structure minimises its environmental impact. The solid double mud-brick walls (which are insulated) include steel beams and supporting frame, allowing the future removal or alteration of any section. The materials are local, recycled and of low toxicity where possible.2 Inside and out, the mud-brick is rendered and sealed with a combination of cement and sand and a mud-based coating in a soft golden hue increases its life. Inside, the golden-brown timber is plantation Mountain Ash and the concrete floors throughout – of local stone aggregate with a clear seal – have a natural looking random stone appearance. The house sustains a stable temperature of around 20 degrees, assisted by the concrete slab floor. The many large double-glazed windows and highlights (windows set high on walls) provide cross-flow ventilation. The north-facing living area maximises heating from the lower winter sun and is cooler in summer, because the sun is higher. Heating comes from a solar hydronic slab system. All appliances and fittings are high efficiency energy or water rated. Appliances in the timber kitchen include a gas stove and a dishwasher, using the building’s own power and water. French doors open from the living area to a deck, concealing the treatment system for all waste water. This is pumped through sub-soil drippers to the indigenous garden beds and no-dig vegetable patch. Below the carport is the 80,000-litre rainwater tank and at the back, the boiler room houses the solar boiler, water tank access, domestic water supply pump, filter gear and hydronic slab heating controls. The solar system is backed up with gas, which is needed to heat water only in winter. Gas used is less than one quarter of that for an average home with ducted heating. Excess power is fed back to the grid and the building uses about one quarter of the mains electricity of an average home. Other local builders have followed Pritchard’s lead in resource efficiency for minimal environmental impact.main road, eltham, businesses, llewellyn pritchard, hia greensmart building of the year award., efficiency housing award, conscious homes australia pty ltd

This iron was used by women to press the clothes from the mid 19th century. Coal embers were put inside, heating the base of the iron. Small bellows could be used to fire up the embers in order to keep the iron hot.This item is significant as it represents the appliances used by women from the mid 19th century until the advent of electricity.Brass iron with hinged lid, curved funnel and wooden handle with asbestos standdomestic object, iron, laundry, appliance

A significant household item used in the process of washing clothes by Melvin Newton Lovell who had started in 1869, as a young carpenter and later he became a successful businessman and manufacturer of household items.Small home appliance.A mangle or wringer is a mechanical laundry aid consisting of two rollers in a sturdy frame, connected by cogs and powered by a hand crank.domestic object, laundry, melton newton lovell

Items such as this clothes hanger were widely used throughout Australia from the late 19th Century onwards. Francis (Frank) Stuart (1844-1910), manufacturer and politician, was born on 21 May 1844 at Penrith, New South. At 13 Frank was apprenticed to a Sydney draper. In 1866 he moved to Melbourne where Stuart joined the fashionable Collins Street mercery store of Alston & Brown. In 1884 he joined McIvor & Lincoln; on the death of the senior partner, Lincoln Stuart & Co., clothiers, was registered as a limited company in February 1889; when Lincoln retired, Stuart became sole proprietor. Among the business’ early success was a contract to supply uniforms to the New South Wales Sudan contingent. Stuart recognized possibilities in the rubber industry and joined with Barnet Glass & Sons Co. to manufacture waterproof clothing; he became a director of the company which was later taken over by Dunlop. Stuart was president (1885) of the Victorian Chamber of Manufactures and chairman (1887) of the Clothing and Manufacturers' Association. In April 1889 he was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly serving until 1894. In June 1904 he was returned to the Legislative Council as member for North Melbourne. He resigned in May 1907 to have more time for business. Frank Stuart died in 1910 and the business was carried on by his son Frank Jr. The company was taken over by John Snow & Co. Ltd in 1926, but continued to trade under Lincoln Stuart & Co. until it was finally deregistered in 1994.This item is representative of a range of clothing items and accessories popular throughout Australia and provided by a renowned Australian clothier. A wooden, leather and metal trouser hanger. It is inscribed with information about the manufacturer on both sides. it is made of two lengths of wood, connected by a leather strap and a metal buckle.Side 1: Lincoln Stuart & Co. Pty. Ltd. Wholesale and Retail Clothier Side 2: Flinders St. Melbourne Made in Germanydomestic appliances, lincoln stuart & co.

John and Emma Propert emigrated from England in 1877 and settled in New South Wales . Several of their 11 children became talented inventors, designing items ranging from kitchen utensils to coaches and later pop-up caravans. One of the most successful was Charles, who designed and built kitchenware over many decades. His earliest invention was irrigation equipment including patenting the common backyard rose sprinkler. Propert became a household name when he began making a wide range of kitchen implements for decades including flour sifters and chip cutters. By the 1970s Propert was Australia’s leading brand of kitchen and bathroom scales. By far the most successful product was a ball-driven egg beater, trademarked as the Ezy Whisk or Swift Whisk. In the days before electric beaters, the Ezy Whisk and Swift Whisk were market leaders and were exported world-wide. Charles Propert and his son Bertram manufactured more than a quarter of a million egg beaters a year in the early 1950s which explains why so many are still in use today.These items are significant because they were widely used throughout Australia in the 1950s by a major Australian manufacturer.Two Propert's kitchen appliances - a stainless steel Whistling Egg Timer and a Swift Whisk BeaterOn Egg Beater : A PROPERT PRODUCT MADE IN AUSTRALIA PATENT BALL DRIVE SWIFT WHIP STAINLESS STEELkitchen utensils, propert kitchen appliances