Blacksmiths started forging simple flat irons in the late Middle Ages. Plain metal irons were heated by a fire or on a stove. Some were made of stone. Earthenware and terracotta were also used, from the Middle East to France and the Netherlands. Flat irons were also called sad irons or smoothing irons. Metal handles had to be gripped in a pad or thick rag. Some irons had cool wooden handles and in 1870 a detachable handle was patented in the US. This stayed cool while the metal bases were heated and the idea was widely imitated. Cool handles stayed even cooler in "asbestos sad irons". The sad in sad iron (or sadiron) is an old word for solid, and in some contexts this name suggests something bigger and heavier than a flat iron. Goose or tailor's goose was another iron name, and this came from the goose-neck curve in some handles. In Scotland people spoke of gusing (goosing) irons. At least two irons were needed on the go together for an effective system, one would be in use, and the other re-heating. Large households with servants had a special ironing-stove for this purpose. Some were fitted with slots for several irons, and a water-jug on top.An early domestic object that gives an insight into how the ironing of clothes was done before the electric type irons we use and take for granted today.Clothes Iron, wedge shaped, cast iron painted black with cylindrical handle small funnel through centre of handle.Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, iron, flat iron, laundry equipment, sad iron, domestic object

This fire poker is a basic design that has been used throughout the centuries to attend to a fire for cooking, heating, firing a boiler and similar domestic activities.This object is significant as an example of an item in common use in the 19th and early 20th centuries and is still in use today.Fire poker; a flat metal bar shaped with ring at one end and a right angle bend at the base. It is painted black.flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, poker, fire poker, fire iron, heating, cooking, laundry, tending a fire

1 sheave wood block with loop on top. Painted brown. Two metal plates on side. Wire tied to loopflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, block, wood block

Flask glass inner, pouring lip, hinged cover, handle and painted green on the exterior. Chrome coated base and top. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

Dish, ceramic cheese server with lid. Handle broken and attached to inside of lid. Coloured floral pattern painted and glazed.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

Small copper lantern has been painted red. Wick and fuel assembly detaches from bottom. Missing glass.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

Brass (and other metal) lever and frame and cylindrical light director for projection of "slide images". Green paint under lever.Tagged "Rash Collection" M.14/50keith rash, slide projection control, light director, slide images

1.35 Scale model of the chinook helicopter made from plastic and painted in Karki.It was able to lift aircraft and carry troops.United States Army /1/35 scale Ch-47D Chinookhelicopter, chinook

Model of an F104 Starfighter painted silver. On right wing reads USAF. On the left wing there is a white star in a black circle.model, aircraft, f104, starfighter

The wood level has been around for over 100 years and this type is called a spirit level. It gets its name from the mineral spirit solution which is inside the level. The level is used to indicate how parallel (level) or perpendicular (plumb) a surface is relative to the earth. The spirit level is placed on the surface, if the surface is level the bubble in the tube will be in the centre between the lines, if the bubble is either side of the lines then the surface has a slope.Paint spots and wear at grooves. Wood, glass bubbles, brass cover over bubble. Round maker's seal missing.level, carpenter's tools, hand tools, churchill island

Two screw driver bits with a tapered proximal end and a flat head, some paint spots and surface rust evident.BLACKMANS ENGLANDchurchill island, screw driver, bits, tools

A Sickle is an agricultural hand tool used for harvesting or reaping grain crops using the sharp blade in a swinging or hacking motion. It was also used for cutting back forage and other plant growth. They have been used since early Iron Age times and many examples have been found in the Middle East dating back 18,000 to 8,000 BC. This is a bagging hook – a type of larger and heavier sickle used mainly for harvesting of grain. It continued to be used after industrialisation and the implementation of the mechanical reaper. Designed by British manufacturing firm, Brades & Co, and made to be used by the left hand, its age is unknown. Left handed sickle. Blade painted black; handle varnished. Metal ferrule on handle. Hook on blade at handle endB?RADE? BRADER OZ?sickle, harvesting, churchill island heritage farm

8721.1 - Ceramic ink container that has been painted brown and been varnished. It has been engraved with the business name.8721.1 - ANGUS & CO - INK - COMMERCIAL

Felling axe with proprietary steel head. Well worn, with white paint spots flecking the slightly curved wooden handlefarm tool, churchill island, felling axe

Cream coloured ceramic planter with roses hand painted onto upper part. Milford Ware, F&S, England.

White painted, lockable. Two double doors with glass panels on sloped base. White base, 4 arched legs.

Grey Painted Wooden Cross bearing I.D Photograph and Service Details Warren D. Mitchell conscript June 1965Warren D. Mitchell Battle of Long Tan killed 18th AUG 1966wooden cross, warren d. mitchell

Carriage Sign - Early Puffing Billy Volunteer Advertising These signs were fitted to NBH style carriages. Historic - Puffing Billy Railway Carriage Sign - Early Puffing Billy Volunteer AdvertisingCarriage Sign - Early Puffing Billy Preservation Society Volunteer Advertising Grey timber sign with black painted text.Looking for a Hobby if you like - steam trains - meeting people - handy man jobs - working outdoors Become a Puffing Billy Volunteer Enquire at Puffing Billy's Belgrave Station on your return puffing billy, nbh, advertising

Station Sign - Toilet Ladies An obvious sign for a convenience. The use of the term Ladies was altered to Women at a later time.Historic - Victorian Railways Station Sign - Toilet LadiesStation Sign - Toilet Ladies sign wooden rectangle Station name sign painted white background with black lettersLadiespuffing billy, victorian railways, station sign, toilet ladies sign

In 1879, James Griffiths established one of Australia’s first tea and coffee distribution companies at 30 Flinders St, Melbourne, which is now, occupied by the boutique Lindrum Hotel. Established with his brother John, recent immigrants from England, Griffiths occupied the highest position in the commercial world during their many years as distributors of tea, coffee, cocoa and other products throughout Victoria and Australia. The Griffiths brand was a guarantee for quality of product and service as it still is today. This extensive service was provided to customers via horse drawn carts serviced by rail from Melbourne. As a spirited entrepreneur, Griffiths made his company a household name through his pioneering use of outdoor advertising by installing the infamous blue and white enamel “Griffiths Tea” promotional signs affixed to the railway boundary fences highlighting to travellers the distance to or from Melbourne, indicating so many “— miles to Griffiths Tea”. These signs, much sought after today, were well known through out the eastern states. Photographs have been published of a sign erected by a Digger in France during the First World War with the words “1100 miles to Griffiths Bros”. Tragically, James and his wife Emily with friends died in a level rail crossing accident at Bayswater in 1925. Despite this unfortunate accident, Griffiths and its culture of innovation has survived as one of the few 100% Australian owned coffee roasters, with only three owners in 128 years. http://www.griffithscoffee.com.au/about-us/back-to-1879/ Sign - Advertising - Griffiths Tea Sign - 30 MilesHistoric - Sign - Advertising - Griffiths Tea Sign - used along side of Victorian Railway lines and at StationsSign - Advertising - Griffiths Tea Sign - 30 Miles Griffiths Tea sign made of Enamel paint on metal sign30 Miles to Griffiths Tea Sign puffing billy, sign - advertising - griffiths tea sign - 30 miles