FLETCHER RUSSELL & CO. LTD/ WARRINGTON MANCHESTER & LONDON Thomas Fletcher (1840-1903) had established a gas appliance manufactory in Thynne Street, Warrington by the 1880s. By 1895 the company had become Fletcher Russell and Co Gas Engineers, his firm having merged with Alexander and William Russell of Pendleton Iron Works. In 1950, the firm merged into Radiation Ltd which was later acquired by 'TI New World. In the early 1880s Thomas Fletcher was a registered dentist who went on to found a dental apparatus manufacturing business. He later diversified into producing equipment for blacksmiths, foundries, forging and other sectors. The company had grown to 900 employees in 1914. These foot-operated bellows were for pumping gas to keep the patient relaxed while the dentist worked on their teeth. They were later modified for a variety of uses where a continual flow of air was needed.These bellows are representative of a range of devices developed in the late 19th Century to assist in manufacturing. They were donated to our collection by a Wodonga resident.A set of foot bellows made from timber, metal and leather. The bellows were activated by pressing up and down on the metal step-shaped lever at the front. The air outlet on one side would have a hose attached to it to direct the air current to wherever it was needed. The bellows are made from leather. The manufacturers mark is attached to the top within a metal circle.On top of Bellows in a circle: "FLETCHER RUSSELL & CO./ WARRINGTON/ MANCHESTER / LONDON"foot bellows, fletcher russell & co. ltd.

Sad-irons or "solid" irons were made by blacksmiths and used to smooth out material by pressing the hot iron over it. A piece of sheet -iron was placed over the kitchen fire and the irons placed on it could be heated whilst remaining clean of ash.. The women used 2 irons - one heating while the other was used. Thick cloth or gloves protected their hands from the hot irons. The handle was removed from the cool iron and re- attached to remove the hot iron from the fire. The cool iron was replaced on the fire or stove to heat again. These irons were cleaned with steel wool to prevent them marking the material. If the iron was too hot the material would scorch. Most homes set aside one day for ironing and some large households had an ironing room with a special stove designed to heat irons. However, most women had to work with a heavy, hot iron close to the fireplace even in summer. Thomas Fletcher (1840-1903). By 1880s he had a gas appliance manufactory in Thynne Street, Warrington. By 1895 the company had become Fletcher Russell and Co Gas Engineers, his firm having merged with Alexander and William Russell of Pendleton Iron Works. Circa 1950, the firm merged into Radiation Ltd which was later acquired by 'TI New World'; 1902: Fletcher, Russell & Co. Ltd., Palatine Works, Warrington In 1880 gas -fuelled irons were connected by rubber tubing to the gas light-fittings of the house or to gas canisters. However , not many houses had access to a gas supply until much later and this iron was popular in 1920’sThese sad irons remind us of the difficult circumstances experienced in their daily routines by the pioneers and early settlers of Moorabbin Shire The family of Miss M Curtis were early settlers in Moorabbin Shire.A gas-fuelled flat iron, made in USA , It would have been attached to a gas hose fitting that was also used at night for light in the house. There is a small chimney to allow for air and to try to control the amount of heat in the iron. A 'shield' is under the leather covered handle to protect the user's hand from the heat, however it is made of copper metal - a heat conductor.FLETCHER RUSSELL CO. / LIM/ PATENT/ WARRINGTON on right side of handle 'Registered' on left side of handle ' Fletcher Russell Co L / Warrington, Manchester / & London.sad iron, kitchen equipment, fletcher russell co. ltd., england, warrington, manchester, pioneers, early settlers, market gardeners, sewing, craftwork, clothing, moorabbin, brighton, bentleigh, fireplaces, stoves, domestic gas supply, gas-light, gas cannisters