Historical information

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. The detachable insulated handle was designed to be always cool for ironing. The handle was detachable, so that several irons could be on the stove at one time and the handle swapped between several bodies.
This handle appears to belong to a Mrs Potts' sad iron - Reg. No. 1885.

Significance

This item is an example of an invention that was universally adopted because it meant that users could keep several irons on the stove at one time and the handle swapped when needed. The original Mrs Potts irons had handles made of wood (walnut) and this enabled the user to us the iron without sustaining burns.
The item reminds us of the difficult circumstances experienced in their daily routines by the early families in Orbost

Physical description

A wooden handle which has been painted green. The base is made of cast aluminium and is attached to the handle by two screws ( not original). In the base is a hinged piece for attaching to the iron, held to the base plate by a spring and operated by a wooden knob for quick release. A hook holds the handle to the iron.

Inscriptions & markings

On the base is an indecipherable number.