From the 17th century, sadirons or sad irons (from Middle English "sad", meaning "solid", used in England through the 1800s) 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. An antique heavy cast iron sad iron (from Middle English 'sad' meaning 'solid') with a rounded cast iron handle. It has a roughened surface with a decorative pattern on the top of the iron. 'Silverston Metals' irons, laundry irons

From the 17th century, sadirons or sad irons (from Middle English "sad", meaning "solid", used in English through the 1800s) 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. An antique heavy cast iron sad iron (from Middle English 'sad' meaning 'solid') with a rounded cast iron handle. It has a roughened surface with a decorative pattern on the top of the iron. irons, laundry irons

From the 17th century, sadirons or sad irons (from Middle English "sad", meaning "solid", used in English through the 1800s) 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. An antique black heavy cast iron sad iron (from Middle English 'sad' meaning 'solid') with a rounded cast iron handle. It has a roughened surface with a decorative pattern on the top of the iron. 'LYNC' is stamped on the cast iron inside a star shape. 'W' is stamped on the left side, 'C' is stamped on the right hand side. irons, laundry irons

From the 17th century, sadirons or sad irons (from Middle English "sad", meaning "solid", used in England through the 1800s) 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. An antique heavy cast iron sad iron (from Middle English 'sad' meaning 'solid') with a rounded cast iron handle. It has a roughened surface with a decorative pattern on the top of the iron. irons, laundry irons

This rare vintage clothes iron is not just a functional item but a testament to the craftsmanship and ingenuity of an earlier era of the 19th century. Crafted from cast iron and featuring a wooden handle, it is a unique piece that adds a touch of authenticity and history to our collection. The inclusion of a funnel and chimney showcases the attention to detail in the design. A rare cast iron charcoal clothes iron with a wooden handle, complete with a funnel and chimney. The goose neck iron has a hollow base into which charcoal is placed. The small hole at the back has a sliding cover that was used to regulate the draft and temperature of the iron. To keep the charcoal glowing, the cover could be opened to allow more air or oxygen in to encourage the charcoal to burn. The iron could be swung back-and-forward to revive the charcoal. The fumes produced by the charcoal are carried away from the clothes by the large funnel that acts like a chimney at the front of the iron. The holes that line the base allow air to circulate and keep the charcoal ambers burning. This vintage clothes iron is not just a functional item but a testament to the craftsmanship and ingenuity of an earlier era. 'S' is stamped in a circle on the back of the iron.flatirons, laundry irons, cast iron laundry irons

A small brown and blue covered book, Laundry Bygones, with the title in white lettering at the top of the front cover with the author Pamela Sambrook printed in blue underneath. The cover has a full sized photograph of the old fashioned laundry at Shugborough, Staffordshire Arts and Museum Service in England. The contents show the history of laundries from the past with information as well as black and white photographs. There is a List of Further Reading and Places to Visit at the back. Pp.32.non-fictionThis book illustrates the simple, rare but often extremely beautiful traditional laundry aids as well as machines which were used before and in the first quarter of the twentieth century. laundry aids, laundry equipment, laundry irons, laundry dollies, washboards, washing machines

Usually heated over a stove, used for ironing shirt collars and similar garments, this flatiron has a curved or rounded base.Small black flat iron, rounded baseSilvester patent [No.] 1flatirons, laundry irons

Polishing iron with curved convex sole for producing glazed finish on starched linen garments - circa 1880.Polishing Metal iron with curved convex sole."5"irons, laundry irons

'Box' irons were heated by red hot charcoal. These first irons were first patented in 1852.Metal 'Box' iron with wooden handle. Specimen of 'Bless' charcoal iron decorated with head of Hephaestos, the Greek God of metal workers.irons, laundry irons

These first irons were first patented in 1852.Metal iron with wooden handle, and curved chimney and damper on the front."Mondraoon U.C."irons, laundry irons

Early examples of Mrs. Potts' irons. First patented in 1871. These irons were in sets of three - with one interchangeable handle.2 metal irons with a metal and bakelite interchangeable handle. "Mrs. Potts' iron pat. Oct 18, 1875." "Mrs. Potts' iron pat. Oct 18, 1875/No./Pat. ground." irons, laundry irons

"Small box iron heated by inserting a red hot metal slug - late 19th Century."Metal "box" iron iron, laundry irons

Petrol irons were introduced in 1902.Chrome pumpless petrol iron with blue wooden handle,"All British Pumpless Iron / Handi Works Brisbane / Handi Hall Mark Product."irons, laundry irons

2 metal flat irons, sizes No. 1 and No. 10. "Silvesters Patent"irons, laundry irons

Mrs Potts' iron used for delicate lace.Small metal Mrs. Potts' iron.irons, laundry irons

Hotpoint electric iron, weight 6 points - circa 1940Early electric metal iron wiht wooden handle."Standard Hotpoint Iron / Pacific Electric Heating Co. / New York - Ontario. Cal. - Chicago"irons, laundry irons

Small metal Dover Sad Iron Model 912"Dover No 912 Sadiron" on baseirons, laundry irons

"Capitol" electric iron with wooden handle. Weight 6 1/4 lbs."Capitol - Submitted to Electric Approvals Board Reference No. AV/DL/O S.E.C.V."irons, laundry irons

Introduced early 1950's and sold until late 1970's.Cream and black Tilley kerosene iron."On Tilley Off"irons, laundry irons

Chrome Pumpless Kerosene Iron with green wooden handle."All British Pumpless Iron / Handi Works Brisbane"irons, laundry irons

A damaged faded grey paperback book titled A Laundry-Work Note Book by Louise Wetenhall printed in dark blue letters at the top of the front cover, with the Sir Isaac Pitman emblem below and Pitman printed at the bottom. There are 49p. with black and white photographs and diagrams throughout with blank pages for the student or teacher to write notes. It is intended as a general guide and ready reminder for those taking a course in laundry work. Some pencil notes are written on p 50 and on the last inside endpaper is a small pencil drawing. Included in the book is a beige paper sheet decorated with coloured leaves around the edges with the inscription as to it's history as written below. A small white card has the donation facts written by the owner.A thin paperback work-book intended as a general guide and ready reminder for those taking a course in laundry work. ironing machines, domestic equipment, laundry equipment, laundry irons

Used to iron clothes, heated over a stove. These irons came in different sizes, this is a large iron, number "9".Black cast ironSilvester [no.] 9 flatirons, irons, laundry equipment

No known provenanceOmega spirit iron with cast base and semi-circular airholes at the edge. The metal bottom is polished. A hooked clip holds the top plate in place and the wooden handle is D-shaped. The silvered supply tank has a jet control.OMEGA Ω (Greek symbol on opposite side of top plate)allansford, irons, ironing, laundry equipment, spirit irons

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

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

This iron is typical of the electric irons used in the 1950s. It didn't have a thermostat like the irons that followed so care had to be taken not to leave it on too long. Women in their domestic role used irons.The Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme commenced in the late 1940s when Mt Beauty township was created. Amongst the shops in the main street was an SEC shop which sold electrical items. "Creda" Electric Iron with plug-in cord. A metal steel base iron with a wooden handle and a thumb rest. The handle is bolted onto the iron with 2 large screws. The cord is coloured maroon except where it is repaired with black tape. The cord socket plugs in behind the handle of the iron. CREDA Cat. No 6; Man. No.; Volt 200; AMPS 2.7 iron, laundry, household, electric, pressing clothes, domestic

From c1950s electrical irons were used. The thermostatic iron followed the electric iron used with a container that enabled water to be sprayed onto the cloth. Damp cloth was more easily pressed. This thermostatic electric iron was one of the early models.This iron was used by residents of the Kiewa Valley including those living at Mt Beauty where there was electricity and an SEC shop from c1950.This is a "General Electric" iron. It has a steel base with a chrome upper and black plastic handle. It is thermostatically controlled with water spray. The electric cord is permanently attached, at right angels, to the handle base. A red button activates the water spray when pushed. A white button slides to enable fabric selection. A metal hole in the front of the handle is used to fill the iron with water.General Electric; Wash and Wear / Wool / Cot / Lin; Australian General Electric Appliances Pty Ltd.; Notting Hill Victoria. 1100 Wats 240 Volts AC only. V/A2F Cat. No. 10 FS10iron;, electrical appliance, laundry, domestic, pressing clothes

This iron was used to press clothes prior to the spirit and electrical irons becoming available circa 1930s - 1950s. The main body of the iron was placed on a flat heated surface of a stove (wood, coal or gas fired). It was mainly used by women in their domestic role, ironing the family's clothes and linen. In the Kiewa Valley the supply of coal or gas was not available or too expensive than the locally cut hard wood trees. Ironing was time consuming as the iron had to be heated, used and then reheated to the required level of application. Kiewa Valley farmers' wives used these irons having heated their stoves with local timber from their farms. This iron is made of cast iron. The handle is a hollow cylinder and is 70 mm above the solid 30 mm base. Presumably the handle was wrapped and/or threaded with cloth to protect the hand from the heat of the iron. The iron would have been heated on the top of a stove.6 Metters KFB Victoriairon, laundry, domestic, antique, pressing clothes, household

This iron was used when electricity became available. It was possibly used for smaller items that didn't require a lot of time. Residents of the Kiewa Valley used irons for pressing the family's clothes and linen - usually by the women as it was considered to be part of their domestic duties.A small electric iron, for heating only. "Hot Point" brand with a steel body and a black plastic (or could be Bakelite) upper body that is chromed. The electric cord is detachable and not with the iron.Hotpoint Cat No. 6266 G7 Watts 575 - Volts 240. Ps 7 Made in Australiairon, laundry, domestic, pressing clothes, household, electric

Kerosene irons were used c1930 - 1950 especially where electricity wasn't available. Shelite was another fuel that could be used instead of kerosene. The advantage of the kerosene iron was that it didn't require a stove to be lit (especially in summer) to heat the iron and it didn't require electricity.Residents in the Kiewa Valley used kerosene irons.This black iron is made of cast iron with a steel base and a black wooden handle. This Comfort iron has a ball shaped container with a screw-on lid to hold the fuel (kerosene or Shelite). At the bottom of this ball is a pipe going down then meeting another pipe at right angles to it leading into the iron. At the pipe junction there is a handle on a screw to limit the amount of fuel. The Kerosene would flow through this pipe. There is a filler plug air stem on top. This is a self-heating iron.Comfort iron / Self Heating Comfort Iron MFD by / National Stamping and Electric Works / made in U.S.A. Chicago iron, domestic, laundry, pressing clothes, household, kerosene, shelite