General Information

Serial #

30426

Part Number

1

Total Parts

1

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

Cast aluminium housing. Chrome (?) plated metal sole plate. Synthetic handle. Fibre covered cord with bakelite (?) receptacle at one end and a rubber and brass plug at the other end.

Dimensions

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

Length

24.7 cm

Width

12.5 cm

Height

15.4 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

Steam Electric

Country

Canada

State/Province

Ontario

City

Toronto

Context

Country

Unknown

State/Province

Unknown

Period

Unknown

Canada

Manufactured in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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

Rectangular mfr's plate on heel reads: 'STEAM-ELECTRIC PRODUCTS LIMITED/ TORONTO, ONTARIO./ VOLTS 115 WATTS 550 SERIES C 30426/ CANADIAN PATENTS PENDING/ CATALOGUE NO. 400 A.C.-D.C. CURRENT/ CSA APP. NO. 5652 - FOR USE WITH STAND ONLY'. Triangular mfr's plate on front of handle reads: 'TRADE/ MARK REG./ LOOK FOR THE TWO "EE'S"/ IT IDENTIFIES THE GENUINE/ STEAM/ Electric'. Mfr's marks on receptacle read: '660W/ AH&H/ 250V'. Raised letters on plug read: 'FEDERAL WIRE & CABLE CO. LTD. GUELPH PATENTED 1931'. Marks on plug prongs read: '15A 125V'.

Missing

Water fill opening lid and gasket. From CA of 03/31/1994 by Tony Missio: Yes - missing filler cap

Finish

Hammered finish on housing. Polished chrome (?) finish on sole plate. Black synthetic handle. Black and white fibre cord-covering. Brown bakelite (?) receptacle. Black rubber plug with unfinished brass prongs.

Decoration

Mfr's plate on handle includes a circle with an arrow pointing towards two E's 'EE' in trade mark name 'STEEM' at centre.