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 and metal handle with synthetic temperature/steam selection lever and steam control/ejection button. fibre covered cord with rubber cord lift, and rubber and metal plug.

Dimensions

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

Length

23.8 cm

Width

11.8 cm

Height

13.0 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

General Electric

Country

United States of America

State/Province

Connecticut

City

Bridgeport

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. Ontario Hydro received this iron from Canadian General Electric of Barrie, Ontario and accessioned it into their collection in 1964.

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: 'CAT. NO. 119F30 WATTS 1000 VOLTS 115/ UNITED STATES PATENTS 1795180 1218869 C/ GENERAL ELECTRIC CO./ BRIDGEPORT, CONN. ONTARIO, CALIF./ MADE IN U.S.A./ FOR ALTERNATING CURRENT ONLY/ FILL CAREFULLY TO AVOID/ SPILLING WATER OVER TOP'. Settings on temperature/steam setting dial read: 'OFF RAY SILK WOOL COT LIN/ SETTING FOR STEAM IRONING'. Mfr's logo on handle reads: 'GE'. Mfr's marks on steam dial/button read: 'STEAM/ OFF/ INCREASE'. 'FILL' marked on handle. Black sticker on proper right side of iron reads: 'MG3-23'. '81' [or 18]' handwritten on a piece of masking tape affixed to underside of sole plate. Logo 'GE' marked on plug prongs. Tag around cord reads: 'UNDERWRITERS'/ LABORATORIES, Inc./ INSP. CORD A-666/ E-1163'.

Missing

From CA of 04/14/1994 by Tony Missio: No - Complete

Finish

Polished chrome finish on housing. Unfinished aluminium sole plate. Black synthetic handle with metal base and black synthetic temperature/steam selection lever & steam control dial. Eject button. White and red graphics on temperature/steam selection dial. Black and white fibre cord covering. Black rubber cord lift and plug.

Decoration

Pattern of incised parallel lines on base of handle.