Doing ironing works is a drudgery most of us try to avoid. It is considered a house chore that consumes a lot of time and requires lots of energy form the user. With the commonness of this work, many of us no longer realize how electric irons make our lives more difficult.
One of the earliest iron type devices is the "smooth stone". It is a heavy, smooth, stone tool that resembles a shape of a mushroom. A part of this device can be held and was used during the 8th and 9th century. During the 17th century, the smoothing stones were further improved and the iron that we are familiar today was developed. "Flat iron"-this is a term often used to refer to smoothing devices. This is called a flat iron due to the shape and materials it is made from. With the continuous improvement of these devices, the electric iron was made. In 1880 the first electric iron was invented and became widely available in homes. Henry W. Seely of New York first filed on December 08, 1881 the U.S patent of an electric iron and it was awarded to him on June 06, 1882. On the other hand, just six days earlier, on May 31, 1882 an English patent for an electric iron was awarded to Oswald Rose of Manchester of England.
The original patent of Seely is called an electric flat iron which was directly connected to an electrical source with detachable wires. This was further improved in following years when he and his partner introduced a safer "cordless" electric iron which rested on a heated stand. With this type, the iron tended to heat slowly but cools quickly. This iron had to be reheated frequently. No example of Seely's electric iron has survived, and it remains in doubt if any were produced for the market. The modern corded electrical iron we know today was developed in the early 20th century.
Plastic and metal are the main materials used in the production of modern electric irons. Metal, thermostat and other internal mechanisms are used to make the sole plate of the iron. The exterior and the handle on the other hand are made using plastic materials. The water tank found in most modern electric irons is also made of plastic. Other parts of the iron like the thermostat, cord, plug, and related connections are usually outsourced by iron companies. Modern electric irons became more affordable, reliable, and quick heating because of the types of materials now used in manufacturing them. Modern electric irons make ironing easier and faster as they allow users to smooth their wrinkled fabrics and clothes after a few minutes of heating time.
Most of us usually take for granted the benefits we get form using electric irons. We tend to overlook how these reliable appliances make our lives easier. It is therefore important that we once in a while stop and take time to study and know more of its benefits.
One of the earliest iron type devices is the "smooth stone". It is a heavy, smooth, stone tool that resembles a shape of a mushroom. A part of this device can be held and was used during the 8th and 9th century. During the 17th century, the smoothing stones were further improved and the iron that we are familiar today was developed. "Flat iron"-this is a term often used to refer to smoothing devices. This is called a flat iron due to the shape and materials it is made from. With the continuous improvement of these devices, the electric iron was made. In 1880 the first electric iron was invented and became widely available in homes. Henry W. Seely of New York first filed on December 08, 1881 the U.S patent of an electric iron and it was awarded to him on June 06, 1882. On the other hand, just six days earlier, on May 31, 1882 an English patent for an electric iron was awarded to Oswald Rose of Manchester of England.
The original patent of Seely is called an electric flat iron which was directly connected to an electrical source with detachable wires. This was further improved in following years when he and his partner introduced a safer "cordless" electric iron which rested on a heated stand. With this type, the iron tended to heat slowly but cools quickly. This iron had to be reheated frequently. No example of Seely's electric iron has survived, and it remains in doubt if any were produced for the market. The modern corded electrical iron we know today was developed in the early 20th century.
Plastic and metal are the main materials used in the production of modern electric irons. Metal, thermostat and other internal mechanisms are used to make the sole plate of the iron. The exterior and the handle on the other hand are made using plastic materials. The water tank found in most modern electric irons is also made of plastic. Other parts of the iron like the thermostat, cord, plug, and related connections are usually outsourced by iron companies. Modern electric irons became more affordable, reliable, and quick heating because of the types of materials now used in manufacturing them. Modern electric irons make ironing easier and faster as they allow users to smooth their wrinkled fabrics and clothes after a few minutes of heating time.
Most of us usually take for granted the benefits we get form using electric irons. We tend to overlook how these reliable appliances make our lives easier. It is therefore important that we once in a while stop and take time to study and know more of its benefits.
About the Author:
Kristen Hedlund is a German teacher based in Wisconsin. Beings in front of a class the whole day requires Kristen to always look fresh and respectable. She makes sure that her clothes are always clean and wrinkle free with the use of her buegelstation (German word for electric iron).