Historical information

Petrol irons were manufactured as early as 1900. The types of fuel used included petrol, alcohol, methylated spirits and kerosene.

Significance

The petrol iron was regarded by many as a great improvement on the flat iron because a flat iron had to be heated (and be continually reheated) on top of a hot wood stove. Electricity did not become available in Emerald until 1934 - and then not to everybody - so that irons such as the flat iron or the petrol iron continued to be used for some time. Petrol irons were potentially dangerous - they were known to explode.

Physical description

Shellite' Iron - A metal iron enamelled in blue colour, with a silver metal fuel reservoir. Shellite was the fuel used to heat the iron. The handle is also blue and made of wood. Metal stand for the iron. Metal pourer for the fuel.