all nurses at the Alfred Hospital were required to use these boxes to send uniforms to laundry, also all hospital staff who had uniforms supplied. (from previous catalogue): All nursing staff wore hospital supplied uniforms for much of the twentieth century. The Royal Melbourne Hospital ran the 'Central Linen Service' for during this time - doing all the laundry for all the public hospitals in Melbourne. Staff uniforms were laundered separately, everyone had their own numbered laundry case. Staff also had a small printed docket book with duplicate copies (complete with a piece of carbon paper) and the number of uniform items were detailed when the case was sent off to the laundry. Cases had to be in the 'laundry room' at a set time each week, clean laundry returned at the same time each week and it usually took 10-15 minutes to find your case in the very full laundry room the day it came back.Significant to the AHNL as all nurses were required to have one (from previous catalogue): The laundry box system shows what a complex and detailed system was required to keep staff clean and tidy.Brown heavy cardboard reinforced case and lid with locks on either end, plastic corner protectors, metal split pins, metal reinforced edges Both ends box identification number. A cross (X) formed by blue and yellow plastic tape and a navy blue round stickerThe Royal Melbourne Hospital Central Linen Service and Group Laundry (printed on white circular sticker) hand written number E171. Also old catalogue number. (from old catalogue)Sticker stating Royal Melbourne Hospital Central Linen Service and on outside number of box E 171 (E was the identifier of the Alfred) for identification purposes.ahnl, alfred hospital, nurses, uniforms, laundry cases, rmh central linen service and group laundry, hospital uniforms

Laundry bags were a requirement for all Alfred nurses to use for uniforms to go in the laundry box for cleaninghistorical significancebag made from cotton, brown with white and orange daisy print. White tape as a drawstringCash's name tag sewn bottom right hand corner white with black letters "A.L.Bryant"ahnl, nurses' homes, laundry box, nurse uniforms, rmh central linen service

Laundry bags were a requirement for all Alfred nurses to use for uniforms to go in the laundry box for cleaningOf significance to AHNL as all nurses were required to have oneBag made from cotton, blue with dusky pink applique. White tape as a drawstringWhtie name tape with red print (J.E.LADE)alfred hospital, laundry bag

This laundry box would have been used by a woman who was travelling to hang up in a bedroom small items of clothing that had been laundered. Different types of laundry sets have been available for travellers for many years and sets of a more modern nature are in use today. This laundry set is retained as an example of a woman’s laundry set from the past. This is a mottled blue container made of Bakelite. The box contains eight small wooden pegs. This set is incomplete as originally there would have been ten pegs and some string to use as a small clothesline. The box also has a slip of paper with printed material indicating the use and value of the laundry set. The top of the container has had some cloth material pasted on but this is largely worn off. ‘Ladies travelling laundry set. This practical little outfit solves the problem of drying light lingerie when travelling, as such articles can easily be hung up in the boudoir. Indispensable for drying silk stockings and similar articles.’ women’s accessories, history of warrnambool

This box contained packets of Reckitts Blue and was probably displayed in a shop with the lid up showing the brand name and the items. Blue or laundry blue was a household product used up to about 1960 to improve the appearance of textiles during the washing process. It added a trace of blue dye which made white fabrics appear whiter and it was widely used. Reckitts was a firm established by Isaac Reckitt in Hull, England, in 1840. By 1888 it was a public company and in 1938 it merged with J.& J. Colman, a food manufacturer. Later it sold the Colman side of the business and today it trades as the Reckitt Benckiser Group. The firm established an Australian branch in the late 19th century.This box has been used to store the Charles Brittlebank birds’ eggs collection but it is of interest in its own right as a box that held Reckitts Blue packets. Most Australian households in the 19th and 20th centuries (up to about 1960) would have used blue bags or packets in the laundering process so they are part of our social history. Today a bleach is used as a replacement for a blue bag.This is a wooden box with a hinged lid (the hinges are hooks and eyes). The box once contained one gross of Reckitt’s Blue. The printing on the box is coloured but some of it is now faded. Inside the lid, pasted on, is the name of the manufacturer. The side of the box also has the name of the manufacturer pasted on but the printing has been discoloured at the edge by the application of maroon-coloured paint. On side of box: ‘Reckitt’s Round Blue, contains one gross of circular blocks’ Inside the lid: ‘Reckitt’s Round Blue’ social history, history of warrnambool, reckitt’ blue

The Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme (KHES) produced electricity for the people living in the Kiewa Valley and beyond to many parts of Victoria. The people and their families working on the scheme were encouraged by their employer the State Electricity Commission of Victoria to purchase and use electrical appliances. The iron was popular as it was quick and easy compared to those used previously. This iron belonged to Ron White who was a senior member of staff during the construction and operation of the KHES.This iron was owned by Ron White who was appointed Area Operations Engineer Kiewa in June 1956. He was later appointed General Superintendent and then, in 1974, he was appointed Principal Hydro Engineer of the recently titled Hydro Division.Rectangular yellow and black cardboard box with 'complete' fitting lid. Red and black writing on all sides except the bottom. staples used to hold down the sides of the lid.Front of box - New Revolutionary / Dry/ It steam irons/ it damps as it irons!/ It dry irons too! Back of box - Hoover Steam or Dry Iron Side of box - New Revolutionary / Hoover/ Steam or dry/ Iron / Made By/ Hoover Industries Pty Ltd Meadowbank NSW Top of box has sketch of dial "Big Safety Set Dial" - with black backgroundelectric iron; steam iron; hoover industries; ron white; laundry; kiewa hydro electric scheme

.1) Box open, cardboard, dark green buckram, white paper lining, gold print on sides. .2) - .7) Hard cover book, cardboard, dark green buckram with gold print on front cover & spine. Pages are plain, cut, white, black print, black & white illustrations. .2) Volume 1 of 6. Unit & Location Indexes / Bibliography, Orders of Battle. 483 pages. .3) Volume 2 of 6. Headquarters, Infantry, Cavalry / Armoured & Intelligence Units. 605 pages. .4) Volume 3 of 6. Artillery, Air Defence and Engineer Units. 626 pages. .5) Volume 4 of 6. Medical and Signal Units. Box of 6 books. The Unit Guide / The Australian Army / 1939 - 1945. 654 pages .6) Volume 5 of 6. Aust Army Service Corps, Aust Army Ordnance Corps and Aust Electrical & Mechanical Engineer Units. 706 pages. .7) Volume 6 of 6. Womens Services / Volunteer Defence Corps / War Graves, Survey, Labour, Salvage / Military Policing / Recruiting & Training / Dental, Bath & Laundry / Veterinary & Animal / Movements & Transit / Pay, Records & Printing, Postal / Amenities & Canteens Units. 568 pages. books- military history, unit guide

Boxed set of 6 books. The Unit Guide, The Australian Army 1939 - 1945. .1) Box, open, cardboard, dark green buckram, white paper lining, gold print on sides. .2) - .7) Hard cover book, cardboard, dark green buckram with gold print on front cover & spine. Pages plain cut, black print, black & white illustrations. .2) 483 pages. .3) 605 pages. .4) 626 pages. .5) 654 pages. .6) 706 pages. .7) 568 pages..2) Volume 1 of 6. Unit & Location Indexes, Bibliography, Orders of Battle .3) Volume 2 of 6. Headquarters, Infantry, Cavalry, Armoured & Intelligence Units. .4) Volume 3 of 6. Artillery, Air Defence & Engineer Units. .5) Volume 4 of 6. Medical & Signals Units. .6) Volume 5 of 6. Aust Army Service Corp, Aust Army Ordnance Corp & Aust Electrical & Mechanical Engineer Units. .7) Volume 6 of 6. Women's Services, Volunteer Defence Corps, War Graves Survey, Labour Salvage, Military Policing, Recruiting & Training, Dental, Bath & Laundry, Veterinary & Animal, Movements & Transit, Pay, Records & Printing & Postal, Amenities & Canteens Units.books-military-history, units, 1939 - 45

This brand of starch was first manufactured before 1966 and covered the period when Australian made was the preferred clothing due to limited imports from England. This was a period when the demand for "home grown" produce was at its peak. This was in a time when by necessity and ease of supply and not by the "Buy Australian" campaign (of later years), was the major factor for the demand of these type of laundry goods. It was in a time when starch was used in formal clothing to put a "crisp" or fresh new appearance for clothes. This product was in the era and importantly the social more of "clothes make the person" in which starched shirts and dresses was the fashion vogue. Formality of dress was a strictly British "class" up-man-ship which from the 1950's onwards became less and less visible. The Australian "Ocker" or fair "dink'm" bloke became more entrenched after World War II. The national identity was slowly developing.This box of starch is very relevant to the Kiewa Valley because this box highlights the differences ,in this period, between city and rural social standards. Rural areas were deeply entrenched into colonial and the pioneer family structure viz- a-vie social and dress fashion standards. British values and norms lingered on well beyond the changes happening in city fashion. Tradition and English "ties" were the backbone of early colonies and it was only after World War II that these "ties" were becoming irrelevant. Early traditions lingered well past the independence sought by Federation, colony to statehood and trade with other nations eg. USA and Asia. The idea that a change in "status" would automatically change the social mores of Australians, especially in rural ares, was not fully grasped by the "law makers" and those wanting change.This box (capacity 12 ozs) has white(aged into cream) and blue printing and a "white star" on five sides, the sixth side has a laundry scene with two ladies, in early 1900's fashion. The package is made from 200 gsm thick cardboard. As manufacture was made before and during the two World Wars 1914 to 1945 the promotion was heavily focused on Australian made and Australian grown maize. One side of the box has instructions of use and all the other sides are promotional, detailing "the best in the world and won't stick to the iron""SILVER STAR", "THE BEST IN THE WORLD", "WON'T STICK TO THE IRON", "REQUIRES NO BOILING", INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE", "ROBERT HARPER AND COMPANY LIMITED", "INCORPORATED IN VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA", "NET WEIGHT 12 OUNCES", "LARGE BOX 12 OZS"domestic laundry essentials, cotton clothing preparations, household starch "crisp and neat appearances.

Blue bags were used for whitening laundry during washing.Cylindrical piece of laundry blue, wrapped in white paper, printed in red. Also 2 pieces in cardboard box.Reckitt's blue bagreckitts blue bag, clothes washing, laundry goods, laundering

Used for marking clothes before sending to laundry.Black Melanyl marking ink, in cardboard box with instructions. ink, marking ink, laundry equipment

Starch is used to stiffen cloth when ironed, eliminating creases and giving a smooth finish . Now seldom usedTwo cardboard packets containing "Silver Star Starch" Box 1 Blue, light blue printed on white. Box 2: Multicoloured on whiteBox 1: Net weight 12 ounces when packed. Box 2: 300g Net. The very best since 1890starch, laundry starch

The Abbotsford convent housed large numbers of Good Shepherd nuns, as well as a number of unmarried mothers and their children. The mothers worked in a large commercial laundry facility. The large chimney in this photo is most probably associated with the laundry. The convent has been closed for a number of years and is now used as a community centre.Colour digital photograph showing the slate roof and large chimney at Abbotsford Convent. The photograph was taken from a top storey window of the convent.abbotsford, melbourne, convent, nuns, good shepherd, laundry, roof, slate

In the 19thC and early 20thC men often wore their shirts for a week or more. However the collars were detachable so that they could be changed when they became dirty or for special occasions eg Church on Sundays Collar studs were used to attach the collar to the shirt. The leather box was used for storage and when travelling. The collars were very stiffly starched so as to maintain their shape.The Blackburn family were early settlers in Moorabbin Shire4 x mens white, stiffly starched, detachable collars and 2 x brass studs with the leather box used for storage and transport of these items. Each collar has 3 button holes - 2 at neck and 1 centre back for attachment to the shirt. The Leather box has saddle stitching and a strap with a metal buckle for securingInside collar : a) Radiac / 0 2639 - 16 / ALL COTTON / MADE IN IRELAND; b) LAUNDRY / FOR BEST RESULT DIP / IN THIN COOKED STARCH/ Semi / 161/2 ; c) nil d) nilmenswear, clothing, shirts, collars, early settlers, fashion, cheltenham, moorabbin, dairy farmers, market gardeners

In the 19thC and early 20thC men often wore their shirts for a week or more. However the collars were detachable so that they could be changed when they became dirty or for special occasions eg Church on Sundays Collar studs were used to attach the collar to the shirt. The cardboard box was used for storage and when travelling. The collars were very stiffly starched so as to maintain their shape. Some have Laundry instructions printed on the inside of the collar.The Maggs family were pioneer settlers in Moorabbin Shire.12 detachable, stiffly starched, white collars, from various manufacturers, for a man's shirt. Each Collar has 3 buttonholes for attaching to the shirt - 2 at the neck and 1 centre back. They have been stored in a cardboard box marked 'Boheco regd. ' The box has no lid.Base of Box : Boheco REG. SNOW-WHITE COLLARS / 1 3/4 / Strand / 16 1/2 / MADE IN / AUSTRALIA ( there is no lid ) under box in pencil ; 16 1/2 x 1 3/4 / 1/- each / c/o = Doz. 1 / 3 eachmenswear, clothing, shirts, collars, early settlers, fashion, cheltenham, moorabbin, dairy farmers, market gardeners, maggs family, pioneers

The City of Moorabbin Historical Society was formed c 1960 by a group of Moorabbin residents who were concerned that the history of the area should be preserved. A good response to a call for items related to the historical area of Moorabbin Shire brought donations of a wide variety of artefacts which are now preserved by the current members of CMHS at Box Cottage Museum . Helen Stanley, Secretary of CMHS, began producing a Newsletter for members in April 2007 to provide current information and well researched items of historical interest. Helen Stanley has produced a bi-monthly Newsletter, 2007 - 2013, for the members of the City of Moorabbin Historical Society that contains well researched interesting historical items, notification of upcoming events, current advice from Royal Australian Historical Society , Museums Australia Victoria and activities of Local Historical Societies. The Newsletter is an important record of the activities of the CMHS. The Blackman family were early settlers in Moorabbin Shire A4 paper printed both sides x1. Issue 8 of the bi-monthly, City of Moorabbin Historical Society Newsletter produced by Society member and Secretary, Mrs Helen Stanley in August 2008. Notices of a talk by Dorothy Booth, “ The Historic Mentone Railway Gardens’ on August 31st and a request for volunteers to begin an Inventory of the Box Cottage artefacts and to assist at upcoming Open Days. An excerpt from the CMHS Newsletter March 1965 ‘ Three Pieces of Paper’, by Mrs Nance Blackman, a member, describing items from “The Moorabbin News” ‘ 1907 that included The Cheltenham Butter Factory, and advertisements aimed at the local people and their occupations. Note is made of 3 businesses run by Women – butcher, milk delivery and a ‘delicatessen’ - and an ‘Oriental Laundry’ in Cheltenham, as well as the trading hours for shops and weekly wages. Gas light and candles were in common use because Electricity did not come to Bentleigh until 1916 and several Fire Brigades were formed in the Shire. A photocopied photograph of an Electric Power pole c1930.CITY of MOORABBIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY / AUGUST 2008 NEWSLETTER city of moorabbin historical society, stanley helen, melbourne, moorabbin, mentone, mordialloc, cheltenham, ormond, bentleigh, market gardeners, farmers, dairymen, confectioner, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin shire, blackman nance, box cottage museum, highett, booth dorothy, mentone railway station gardens, cheltenham butter factory, beazley hannah, redstron mrs., bickerton mrs., oriental laundry cheltenham, biehl mr., matthews mr., gas-light, electric light, smith j.l., journeaux james, king george, grommann’s hotel mordialloc, telephones, fire brigades

These tin dippers were used on washing day for carrying water as requiredThis tin dipper is a reminder of wash days when women used coppers, wringers, mangles, large troughs and clothes lines before the introduction of washing machines and clothes dryers.c1930 A tin dipper for water, probably used in the Laundrypioneers, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin, brighton, cheltenham, laundry

The mangle was used in the laundry at Key's, Exchange Hotel. This large, iron framed, manual, machine with 3 cylinders for rolling and pressing washed clothes was a prominent and necessary piece of equipment used by early settler women in Moorabbin Shire 1800 to mid 1900sThis large Mangle was used at The Exchange Hotel, Nepean Highway, Cheltenham , built in 19thC , now known as The Tudor Inn.A large, iron framed, manual, machine with 3 cylinders, for rolling and pressing washed clothes, connected by cogs manually operated by turning a side wheel with a large crank handle.On an oval plate at base of iron frame 'W. Summerscales / & Sons / Keighley Englandclothing, brighton, moorabbin, linen, washing machine, bentleigh, market gardeners, laundry equipment, mangle, early setters pioneers

This type of Charcoal iron was used by early settler families in Moorabbin Shire. The body or ‘box’ of the iron was filled with red-hot coals from the Kitchen hearth. This made for hot as well as smoky ironing and the handle would have become very hot. This type of iron is still used in some countries where electric power is unavailable. This Charcoal flat iron was used by the Curtis family who were early settlers in Moorabbin Shire c1880. A charcoal sad iron with leather covered handle c 1880 The cast iron body or ‘box’ of this sad iron was filled with red-hot coals from the hearth and great care had to be taken to prevent scorching the material to be smoothed.iron charcoal, flat iron, early settlers, pioneers, moorabbin, brighton, market gardeners, craftwork, sewing, laundry equipment, kitchens

c1900 This large wooden double wash trough with 'Acme' clothes wringer came from the old 'Exchange Hotel' now known as The Tudor Inn, Nepean Highway, Cheltenham.The Exchange Hotel, Point Nepean Road, Cheltenham, (now The Tudor Inn Hotel Nepean Highway,) was built in the late 1800s. By 1915 it was a prominent meeting place for early settler families of Moorabbin Shire. The trough is typical of those used in large laundries c1900 The ACME wringers were used in most households until c1960 Wooden, double washing trough, on a wooden stand c1900moorabbin, cheltenham, brighton, nepean highway, exchange hotel, the tudor inn hotel, clothing, early settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, acme manufacturing company, glasgow.

Eduard Lehman, Zurich Switzerland patented a metal barrel shaped hand washing machine with a hand crank to operate a metal plunger in 1919. Such hand washing machines were used by settlers in Moorabbin Shire An 83 year old Visitor on site remembers using this type of washing machine. He had to push the agitator for 5 minutes. Prior to his mother buying the washer, all laundry was hand washed in troughs.Such hand washing machines greatly reduced the workload of the women of pioneer familes in Moorabbin ShireThis hand washing machine c1919 consists of a metal barrel, standing on 4 legs, and has a hand crank to operate a cone shaped metal agitator.THE / LEHMAN/ COMPRESSED AIR AND / VACUUM WASHING MACHINE / Pat. No. 50614/30lehman eduard, hand washing machines, laundry equipment, pioneers, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin, brighton, cheltenham

c1881 Henry W Seely, of New Jersey, USA, designed and patented an electric sad iron for pressing and smoothing material. He continued to modify and improve his designs, with his partner Richard Dyer, and other electrical appliance firms, e.g Hotpoint, began producing these flat irons that could provide continuous heat by connecting via an electrical flex to a light socket and hence without the need for hot fires, ash, or burning hot handles. Women with access to an electricity supply were delighted and their ironing chore became much less arduous No heat was felt at all from the iron as it is all concentrated on the bottom surface. By the early 20th century enthusiasm was building for the new electric smoothing irons: clean, powerful, adjustable, and labour-saving. This c1935 Premier System 'Smoothwell' flat iron was used by a resident of City of Moorabbin and is an example of the progress made from the sad irons used by the pioneers that are displayed beside it.A "Premier Smoothwell" electric flat iron with switched control lead and original box, c 1935 On plate of handle attached to Iron ' HARRODS Ltd. / LONDON On attached plate at rear of iron ' The "SMOOTHWELL" / "Premier System" /......... Plate on cord Plug " PREMIER/ FLAT IRON CONNECTOR/ THIS SIDE OUTWARDS/ (2 columns) 1) FOR 100-125 VOLTS/ USE THREE TERMINALS/ THUS ..... 2) FOR 200 - 240 VOLTS/ USE TWO RIGHT/ HAND TERMINALS/ ONLY/ THUS......seely henry w., sad irons, electric flat irons, dyer richard, edison thomas, hotpoint pty ltd., premier electric company birmingham england, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, laundry, sewing, craftwork, table ware, irons

Grooved wooden washboards were used from the 18thC in England and Europe. Thick smooth, grooved glass did not rust, stain or wear down as the wooden variety and could be used for finer clothing. The washboard was place in the laundry trough or tub and using a clean brush collars, cuffs and corsets were scrubbed clean.This glass scrubbing board used by a Moorabbin Shire settler c 1900 is an example of the typical laundry equipment used in the area.A timber framed, scrubbing board with ridged clear glass.laundry equipment, washing, scrubbing board, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin, brighton, bentleigh, washboards, clothing, craftwork

This ACME portable clothes wringer could be attached to a wash trough or hand washing machine to remove excess water from the washing. It was much less cumbersome that the earlier Mangles used for this purposeMost homes of 20th C in City of Moorabbin would have had one of these ACME wringers . It greatly eased the washday burden of the women. The Exchange Hotel Nepean Highway Cheltenham was a well established meeting place for Moorabbin Shire settlers by 1915A metal clothes wringer with side hand crank and 2 rollers that could be attached by screw clamps to a wash trough or washing machine for removing excess water from washing. The pressure of 2 rollers was controlled by a screw on the top of machine that could be loosened or tightened according to the material being passed through.ACME 14 INCH / on hand crank is list of patents for Great Britain, USA, Aust. NZ, Germany, Belgium, Sweden moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, laundry equipment, washing, washing mangles, washing machines

Simpson Pty Ltd Melbourne produced this Black 'Erasive Soap' early in 20th C At this time men wore detachable starched collars attached to .the shirt by buttons or studs. Men also used olive oil to 'slick' down their hair so collars on shirts and coats became grimey. This soap claims to clean stains from all clothes, coat collars and even carpets.Early settlers in Moorabbin shire wore detachable starched collars that were buttoned onto the shirt, This black 'erasive soap' claims to clean collars and remove stains from coats and even carpets A small cardboard box containing an unused bar of black soap manufactured by Simpsons Pty Ltd Melbourne Box Front; Simpsons / ERASIVE / SOAP / CLEANS CLOTHES CLEAN / AND HAS DONE FOR OVER / 50 YEARS Back; Simpsons / ERASIVE SOAP / DEFINITELY DOES / CLEAN COAT COLLARS AND EFFECTIVELY REMOVES SPOTS / AND STAINS FROM ALL CLOTHES / SIMPSONS MANUFACTURING Pty Ltd / MELBOURNE SideS; THE ORIGINAL BLACK SOAP / IN A NEW PACKAGE; WILL REMOVE SPOTS FROM CARPET Ends; SIMPSONS SOAP / THE SPOT REMOVER; SIMPSONS SOAP / FOR CLEANING COAT COLLARS SOAP ; Back ; trademark / SIMPSONS / ERASIVE / SOAP / REGISTERED ; Front ; A.C.L. soap, washing, cleaning, laundry, early settlers, pioneers, collars, shirts, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, highett, cheltenham, washing wringers, mangles, flat irons

The iron is an example of laundry equipment from the Victorian era before electricity was commonly available.Charcoal box iron with iron body, wooden handle and metal finger guard. It has been painted black. Inscription on top of iron.On top of iron"8"flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, iron, domestic iron, box iron, laundry equipment, household item, family charcoal iron

Self Heating Family Charcoal Iron. Box iron with wooden handle and brass finger guard. The finger guard has two round emblems and the inscription "Awarded To T & G Clark & Co" on it.Two emblems within circles plus the inscription "Awarded To / T & G Clark & Co. on the finger guardflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, iron, self heating iron, coal iron, laundry, family charcoal iron, t & g clair & co

Before the introduction of electricity, irons were heated by combustion, either in a fire or with some internal arrangement. An "electric flatiron" was invented by American Henry Seely White and patented on June 6, 1882. It weighed almost 15 pounds (6.8 kg) and took a long time to heat. The UK Electricity Association is reported to have said that an electric iron with a carbon arc appeared in France in 1880, but this is considered doubtful. Two of the oldest sorts of iron were either containers filled with a burning substance, or solid lumps of metal which could be heated directly. Metal pans filled with hot coals were used for smoothing fabrics in China in the 1st century BC. A later design consisted of an iron box which could be filled with hot coals, which had to be periodically aerated by attaching a bellows. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, there were many irons in use that were heated by fuels such as kerosene, ethanol, whale oil, natural gas, carbide gas (acetylene, as with carbide lamps), or even gasoline. Some houses were equipped with a system of pipes for distributing natural gas or carbide gas to different rooms in order to operate appliances such as irons, in addition to lights. Despite the risk of fire, liquid-fuel irons were sold in U.S. rural areas up through World War II. In Kerala in India, burning coconut shells were used instead of charcoal, as they have a similar heating capacity. This method is still in use as a backup device, since power outages are frequent. Other box irons had heated metal inserts instead of hot coals. From the 17th century, sadirons or sad irons (from Middle English "sad", meaning "solid", used in English through the 1800s[4]) began to be used. They were thick slabs of cast iron, triangular and with a handle, heated in a fire or on a stove. These were also called flat irons. A laundry worker would employ a cluster of solid irons that were heated from a single source: As the iron currently in use cooled down, it could be quickly replaced by a hot one. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clothes_ironThis iron is typical of the clothes iron used before electric irons superseded it.Salter iron no. 6, painted black but with rust showing through. Salter iron no. 6.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, iron, clothes, laundry

Starch is used during the laundry process to give fabric a feeling of stiffness. It is used often for linen, shirts and blouses. This box still has the remnants of starch inside it.Starch was used by many households in the late 19th and the 20th century to give linen and uniformsa firm feeling.Box: cardboard rectangular box, blue and white with star graphic. Contents inside. "The Silver Star Starch" Robert Harper and Co Ltd . "The Silver Star Starch" "Robert Harper &O Co."flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, starch, silver star starch, blue star, robert harper and co ltd ., laundry, laundering, washing, bed linen, table linen, decorative linen