General Information

Serial #

N/A

Part Number

1

Total Parts

1

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

Nickel-plated pressed steel housing and cast iron sole plate. Nickel-plated iron handle and plug guard. Wooden hand grip.

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

17.1 cm

Width

10.3 cm

Height

12.5 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Domestic Technology

Category

Laundry

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

Westinghouse

Country

Unknown

State/Province

Unknown

City

Unknown

Context

Country

Unknown

State/Province

Unknown

Period

Unknown

Canada

Part of the Ontario Hydro collection donated to the museum by Ontario Hydro in 1992. Ontario Hydro received this iron from Toronto Hydro-Electric System and accessioned into their collection in 1964. Hydroelectric utilities often sold electric appliances to encourage energy consumption.

Function

Used to press flat and/or remove wrinkles from fabrics.

Technical

The electric iron was invented in 1882, by Howard Seely. Seely patented his electric flatiron on June 6, 1882 (U.S. Patent no. 259,054). Early electric irons used a carbon arc to create heat, which was an unsafe method. In 1892, hand irons using electrical resistance were introduced by Crompton and Company and the General Electric Company. During the 1950s, electric steam irons were introduced.

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

Mfr.'s marks stamped on heel read: 'WESTINGHOUSE/ S# H-4551/ 6 3/4 LBS. 105-115 V. 575 W.'. Mfr.'s logo stamped on handle at centre. Black sticker on proper left side of iron reads: ‘MG3-3’.

Missing

Electrical cord From CA of 03/28/1994 by Tony Missio: Yes - no cord

Finish

Polished nickel finish on housing, sole plate, handle, and plug guard. Wooden hand grip painted black.

Decoration

Mfr.'s logo consists of circle containing opposed letter 'W's, joined at points to create diamond centre.