Object Record
Images
Additional Images [1]
Metadata
Catalog Number |
1955.56.01 |
Object Name |
Iron |
Features |
Charcoal iron with chamber for burning the charcoal to heat the iron, damper at back below handle, smoke funnel at front top. Tall black hollow body, rounded triangular shape. Wooden handle on top, attached to bar at back, smoke funnel at front. Back face has curved rod, which runs through length of iron: possibly removed to open iron. Back surface has metal panel with embossed human face. Top surface has embossed "4." |
Object Story |
Before modern electric irons, there were two prominent designs for irons: the sadiron and the charcoal iron. Each one had advantages and disadvantages which would eventually be resolved with modern-day steam irons. Charcoal irons and box irons had holes at the bottom to allow airflow, and were hollow with a lid at the top, in which burning charcoals would be inserted. The iron would then be used as normal, pressing clothes to remove seams. The charcoal iron produced a lot of smoke and would often have to be used outside and, if used incorrectly, could leave soot marks on the clothes. Sadirons and flatirons were smaller, flat pieces of metal with a metal handle, which would be heated directly inside the stove or over a fire before use. However, because the iron was made entirely of metal, it needed to be handled carefully with a cloth covering the handle or else you could burn yourself very easily. Additionally, it lost heat very easily, and often you would need two irons being heated and used in rotation while ironing, creating additional material cost. Owned by Mrs. Frederick Thomas Dibb (Sarah Elizabeth Miller) about 1880 - 1890. She was the mother of Mrs. D. R. Hall (Jessie Dibb). |
People |
Dibb, Frederick Thomas, Rev., died 1910 |
Subjects |
Laundry Sadiron Charcoal Iron Domestic |