General Information

Serial #

N/A

Part Number

1

Total Parts

1

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

Chrome plated metal housing. Aluminium sole plate. synthetic handle, temperature and steam control levers. Metallic temperature and steam control settings decals. Fibre covered cord. Coiled metal cord lift.

Dimensions

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

Length

32.5 cm

Width

15.5 cm

Height

13.5 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

Sunbeam

Country

Unknown

State/Province

Unknown

City

Unknown

Context

Country

Unknown

State/Province

Unknown

Period

Unknown

Canada

This type of iron was presumably used in Canada. Part of the Ontario Hydro collection donated to the Museum in 1992.

Function

Used to press flat and or remove wrinkles from fabrics.

Technical

The first electric irons did not have thermostats. The first temperature settings were introduced in 1917 but the truly automatic adjustable temperature iron was marketed in 1927. The next major development was the introduction of the steam iron which was offered starting in the mid 1930s. The use of steam became common in commercial laundries in the 1880s. It was not until the 1950s, however, that steam/dry irons became available to the mass public. Since its initial conception, steam iron innovation has witnessed an increase in the number sole plate orifices. This has allowed for greater distribution of steam over the complete surface of the sole plate and has improved the efficiency of ironing.

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

Mfr's marks on underside of housing read: 'PATENTS 2,258,639 2,266,708 2,277,034 2,277,439/ RE24,181 D-176,977 OTHER PATENTS PENDING/ VOLTS 110-120 WATTS 1000 FOR A.C. ONLY/ CAUTION - USE WITH WALL RECEPTACLE ONLY/ SUNBEAM [logo]/ MODEL-S-4C/ SA STEAM IRONMASTER UL'. Settings on temperature control dial read: 'OFF RAY SILK STEAM WOOL COT LIN'. Settings for steam feature read:: 'STEAM/ OFF ON'. Mfr's logo 'SUNBEAM' cast into handle at bottom of proper left side near heel. '82' handwritten on a piece of masking tape affixed to handle. 'ON LOAN FROM/ H.W.TEMPLEMAN/ NIAGARA FALLS' handwritten on a piece of masking tape affixed to underside of sole plate.

Missing

Plug on electrical cord. From CA of 04/14/1994 by Tony Missio: No - Complete

Finish

Polished chrome finish on housing and cord lift. Unfinished aluminium sole plate. Black synthetic handle with red synthetic levers and gold metallic decals with black printing. Mfr's logo painted gold.

Decoration

Pattern of parallel raised ridges on handle front and top.