Johann Friedrich Dick founded the company in 1778 to manufacture files, the company continued in the manufacture of files as its main product line until 1873, when Paul Friedrich Dick took over the company and began the production of sharpening steels, with the logo of “F Dick” on their products. One hundred years after the founding of the company, a factory in Esslingen began construction. At that time the company had 20 employees. In 1881, company commissioned Germany's first file production machine. In 1889, Friedrich Dick built a new factory in Kollwitz/Fleischmannstrasse in Esslingen, employing 100 people and expanding the product line to include knives for butchers and chefs, cleavers and other specialized tools. Files manufactured ranged from the smallest watchmaker's file to the largest (over 45 cm in length) square file. In 1997, the F Dick company moved to a new headquarters in Deizisau, Germany. The old factory in Esslingen is now a class listed monument and the town's landmark.An item made by a world class manufacture of cutlery for chefs, the subject item is significant as its manufacture was probably early in the firms beginnings when Friedrich Dick took over in1873 when he specialised in making sharpening steels. The company is still producing these items today as well as other specialised knives for professionals. Early manufactured steels such as the subject item are sought after today by collectors and quite rare. Sharpening Steel or Knife sharpener with bone handle with ribbed pattern, brass knobs and ring at end of handleMarked F Dick Esslingenflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, sharpening steel, knife sharpener, kitchen tool, carving, kitchen utensil, cooking, f dick

Sad irons of the 19th century were so named because of the weight 1.8Kg that was needed to press wrinkled clothes and sheets. They were made of solid metal, including the handle. When the iron was heated, this meant that the handle would also heat up. The user would have to use a thick cloth or a mitt of some sort before they could pick up the iron. Even so, burns and blisters, as well as strained, tired arms, were a normal part of the “ironing day.” Mrs Mary Florence Potts of Ottumwa, Iowa, brought a change to the world of ironing. At the age of 19, in 1870, she invented her first sad iron. It had a hollow metal body that could be filled with a non-conducting material such as plaster of Paris. In 1871, Mary invented the removable wood handle, so that it could be changed from the cool iron to one that was hot and ready to use. A final improvement was the shape: Mary made both ends pointed so its user could iron in either direction. All of these inventions were patented under her name, a rarity for the time. Mary, with the help of her husband, tried unsuccessfully to market her invention on her own. It wasn't until she sold the sales rights to the American Manufacturing Company that sales took off. Advertised as "Mrs Potts' sad iron," it became a sensation. The company manufactured the iron from about 1876 to 1951. Mrs Potts' sad iron became a household word and a standard for future inventors to have to surpass. This didn't happen until 1882 when Henry W. Seely patented the first electric iron. The item is significant not only as a usable domestic tool, but it was, at the time of its creation, a revolutionary labour-saving device. Mrs Potts invention remains associated with a housewife's answer to the domestic drudgery of ironing.Iron,"Mrs Potts" pattern iron. Semi-circular or 'D' shaped wood handle and wood knob.Mrs Pottsflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, iron, clothes iron, flat iron, laundry, sad iron, mrs potts

Doily, pair of two (2). Each doily is square, crocheted with an open pattern surrounded by a solid border.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, doily, doiley, doyly, doyley, haberdashery, manchester, linen, decorative napkin

Pattern wooden, black 11.5 diam at base x 16H-maybe part of axle/wheel assemblyflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

Rectangle wooden framed bamboo fan with picture of trees and fishing boats and backed with patterned and black paper.fan, frame, bamboo art, souvenir

Shortened from 9 pouches. 1903 Pattern, used by the Light Horse. Horse neck mounted. (incomplete)equipment, c ww1, army

Bayonet Turkish model RI, 1898 pattern, Mauser calibre 7.65mm. Uses a German Seitengewehr blade.weapon

PATTERN 37 Webbing complete with Pistol Holster & Ammunition Pouch X Sgt. R. Andrews VX145887equipment, ww2, army

Small clear glass specimen vase with fluted top, star pattern in base and thin swirled stem.domestic equipment, ornaments, vase

Metal thimble. Item is engraved in a cross hatch pattern. Item is rusted, out of shape and is missing the top.bendigo, gold mining, qc binks

Document. Green book with black pattern and maroon binding containing names of employees, occupations and time worked.McColl, Rankin & Stanistreetorganization, business, north deborah mine, mccoll, rankin & stanistreet, north deborah mc n/l, gold mining, time book

Most likely collected and donated by Dr Frank Forster. Label attached indicates the item has been viewed by Bryan Hibbard and attributed as a Barnes type of blunt hook.Blunt hook, Barnes, with mahogany handle and fine cross hatching pattern on four sides. Unknown manufacturer.obstetric delivery, blunt hook, destructive instrument

Clothing. Women's above the wrist navy blue nylon gloves. Two embroidered patterns on the back of the glove.Tag inside left glove, ''FOWNES 7'' 100%costume accessories, female, women's navy blue nylon gloves

Object. Sliver serviette ring with out turned edges. embossed pattern of flowers and engraved initials GG.domestic equipment, table setting, silver serviette ring

Born: Gisborne, New Zealand 1882; Arrived: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 1883; Died: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 1939Heidelberg SchoolGift of Mrs E.E. Ledger, 1975Rural farm landscape with wagon, animals and building. Gold patterned moulding with grey velvet insert frame.Recto: Signed "E. GRUNER" in black paint in l.r.c of composition; Not dated; Not titledpainting, rural, wagon, chicken, animals, wheel, fence, trees, farm, australian art

Silver hair comb with curved pierced frame and engraved scroll pattern. Comb has 6 tines. Silver marks: WB & S; crown; lion passant; date letter Phair comb, silver, william batt & sons, sheffield

A5 size yellow ring folder with black Apimondia symbol & white honeycomb pattern 188 pagesAttended by Gretchen Wheen

Embroidered Calico Tray Cloth with Willow Pattern Cup and Sauder. Bound with Blue Binding. Mrs Trickeystawell clothing material

Wangaratta Art Gallery Collection. Acquired with the assistance of The Robert Salzer Foundation.A small hand-woven tapestry featuring a jagged line pattern in shades of blue on a ochre coloured background.tim gresham, tapestry, weaving