I is for Iron

Irons have a long history , the earliest metal flat irons were forged by blacksmiths in the middle ages and were heated on an open fire, the Vikings used round glass linen smoothers  to create wrinkle free clothes but it was trade with China in the 12th century that led to Europeans ironing their clothes.

Sad irons were flat heavy irons heated on a fire, ‘sad’ is an old English word for solid.

1870 Mary Potts from Iowa, was awarded a patent for a sad iron that came with a point both ends, to allow women to iron in both directions. Then, a year later, she introduced the
biggest innovation in ironing thus far; a sad iron with a detachable, wooden handle. Mrs. Potts’ Sad Irons were sold in sets of three irons and one handle so two irons could be heating on the stove while one was in use. When that iron cooled, another was ready to go. This invention was a big hit with housewives. It was
patented by a woman, before women could even vote!

The first electric iron was invented in 1882.  

Irons have a long history , the earliest metal flat irons were forged by blacksmiths in the middle ages and were heated on an open fire, the Vikings used round glass linen smoothers  to create wrinkle free clothes but it was trade with China in the 12th century that led to Europeans ironing their clothes.

Sad irons were flat heavy irons heated on a fire, ‘sad’ is an old English word for solid.

1870 Mary Potts from Iowa, was awarded a patent for a sad iron that came with a point both ends, to allow women to iron in both directions. Then, a year later, she introduced the
biggest innovation in ironing thus far; a sad iron with a detachable, wooden handle. Mrs. Potts’ Sad Irons were sold in sets of three irons and one handle so two irons could be heating on the stove while one was in use. When that iron cooled, another was ready to go. This invention was a big hit with housewives. It was
patented by a woman, before women could even vote!

The first electric iron was invented in 1882.  

1870 Mary Potts from Iowa, was awarded a patent for a sad iron that came with a point both ends, to allow women to iron in both directions. Then, a year later, she introduced the
biggest innovation in ironing thus far; a sad iron with a detachable, wooden handle. Mrs. Potts’ Sad Irons were sold in sets of three irons and one handle so two irons could be heating on the stove while one was in use. When that iron cooled, another was ready to go. This invention was a big hit with housewives. It was
patented by a woman, before women could even vote!

The first electric iron was invented in 1882.  

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