Electric Iron

Hand irons are device useds for garment pressing, irons have been heated directly by gas flame, stove plate heat, or in the case of the modern iron by electricity. Henry W Seely patented the electric iron in 1882.

The Electric Iron
On June 6, 1882, Henry W. Seely of NYC patented the electric iron, at the time it was called the electric flatiron. Early electric irons used a carbon arc to create heat, however, this was not a safe method. In 1892, hand irons using electrical resistance were introduced by Crompton and Co. and the General Electric Company. During the early 1950s electric steam irons were introduced.

Mrs. Potts Sad Irons
Mrs. Potts invented the Potts Removable Handle Iron.

Streamlined Electric Irons
Collectors page on early electric irons.

Antique Pressing Irons
Collectors page that provides some history lower on the page. Smoothing Stones have been around since the 8th and 9th century and are known as the earliest western ironing devices, looking somewhat like a large mushroom.

Ironing or smoothing is the work of using a heated tool, or tools, (an iron) to remove wrinkles from fabric. The heating is commonly done to a temperature of 100°Celsius. Ironing works by loosening the bonds between the long-chain polymer molecules in the fibers of the material. While the molecules are hot, the fibers are straightened by the weight of the iron, and they hold their new shape as they cool. Some fabrics, such as cotton, require the addition of water to loosen the intermolecular bonds. Many modern fabrics (developed in or after the mid-twentieth century) are advertised as needing little or no ironing.

Ironing may also be used as a germ/parasite killing hygienic operation, such as in areas where the Tumbu fly is prevalent.

The iron is the small appliance used to remove wrinkles from fabric. It is also known as a clothes iron, flat iron, or smoothing iron.The iron has a long history of development. The iron started out as a coal powered appliance. With the introduction of electricity iron began getting more and more advanced, to the point at which cordless irons are now in use.

Ironing works by loosening the ties between the long chains of molecules that exist in polymer fiber materials. With the heat and the weight of the ironing plate, the fibers are stretched and the fabric maintains its new shape when cool. The heating is commonly done to a temperature of 100°Celsius. Some materials such as cotton require the use of water to loosen the intermolecular bonds. Many materials developed in the twentieth century are advertised as needing little or no ironing.

The world's largest collection of irons, encompassing 1300 historical examples of irons from Germany and the rest of the world, is housed in Gochsheim Castle, near Karlsruhe, Germany.

The physics behind ironing is the liquid-glass transition. When the fabric is heated above this transition, the fibers become mobile so that the weight of the iron can impose onto them a preferred orientation.