Trystan Casey
The electric iron was invented in 1882 by Henry W. Seely, a New York resident, who was granted a patent for his design. The invention of the electric iron came at a time when American homes were being electrified, and it solved the problem of constantly reheating irons. The use of hot, flat surfaces to smooth out fabrics dates back thousands of years, with ancient Chinese using metal pans and hot charcoal to remove wrinkles from clothes. Over the centuries, various methods were employed, including heating iron slabs over a fire, and using gas irons, before the advent of electricity revolutionised the process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 1882 |
| Inventor | Henry W. Seely |
| Place | New York City |
| Weight | 15 pounds |
| Heating time | Slow |
| Heat retention | Poor |
| Power source | Electricity |
| Heating mechanism | Arc of electricity between two carbon rods |
| Corded | Yes |
| Commercial success | No |
| Improvements | Electric cords, sole plate, thermostat, steam |
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What You'll Learn
The first electric iron was invented in 1882
Seely's iron was heated by an arc of electricity between two carbon rods. It weighed 15 pounds and was considered unsafe. The electric flatiron was much lighter than its predecessors, which weighed up to 15 pounds. The early electric irons looked similar to the typical flatirons with two prongs at the base for the electric hookup.
The use of hot, flat surfaces to smoothen out fabrics and reduce creases dates back thousands of years. In ancient China, hot charcoal in metal pans was used to remove wrinkles from clothing. In the 1st century BC, the Chinese would use metal pans filled with hot water to smooth their clothes and erase creases from fabric. In the 4th century BC, the Ancient Greeks used rods heated over a fire to create ornamental creases in fabric.
The electric iron was one of the first popular appliances in the United States. By the 1920s, enough homes had electricity, leading to the widespread use of electric clothes irons. In 1941, 79% of American households owned an electric iron.
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Early electric irons were unsafe and inconvenient
The first electric iron was invented in 1882 by Henry W. Seely, who received a patent for his design. The invention of the electric iron coincided with the widespread electrification of American homes in the 1880s.
Another inconvenience of early electric irons was the lack of widespread electrification. While the electrification of homes was underway in the 1880s, it took several decades for electricity to become widely available. By the 1920s, enough people had homes wired for electricity, which contributed to the spread of electric irons.
Early electric irons also lacked features that are now considered standard, such as electric cords, thermostats for temperature control, and steam functionality. The introduction of electric cords in the early 20th century was a significant improvement, as it solved the centuries-old problem of constantly reheating the iron. The development of the steam iron in the mid-1920s further enhanced the convenience and effectiveness of ironing, although it did not become commercially successful until 1938.
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Irons have been heated by fire, gas, and electricity
The history of ironing dates back to the 4th century BC when the Ancient Greeks used rods heated over a fire to create ornamental creases in fabric. In the 1st century BC, the Chinese used metal pans filled with hot water or hot charcoal to smooth out wrinkles from clothing. This practice continued for centuries, with the next significant improvement being the ""box iron"" in the 16th century. This iron consisted of a flat-bottomed box with a handle, inside which hot coals, bricks, or other heating elements were placed.
In the 17th century, a new method emerged using big slabs of iron with a handle, known as "sad irons" or "flat irons". These had to be heated on a fire and then used to smooth out wrinkles from fabric. This process had to be repeated every time the iron slab cooled down. With the development of metal technology in the 1800s, flatirons could be heated on cast-iron stoves, making the process cleaner and easier.
The invention of the electric iron in the late 1800s to early 1900s revolutionized the world of ironing. Henry W. Seely of New York City is credited with patenting the first electric flatiron in 1882. This iron had built-in coils and was heated on a rack, but it took a long time to heat up and cooled down quickly. The electric iron gained widespread popularity in the 1920s with the electrification of American homes, and by 1941, 79% of American households owned an electric iron.
Gas irons also emerged in the late 1800s, with gas lines carrying fuel to the appliance, which contained a burner to provide heat. However, electric irons offered a cleaner, more powerful, adjustable, and labour-saving alternative to gas and fire-heated irons. The development of electric cords for irons in the early 20th century further improved convenience by eliminating the need for constant reheating.
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Steam irons were invented in the 1920s
The history of ironing dates back to the 1st century BC, when the Chinese would use metal pans filled with hot water or hot coals to smooth their clothes and remove creases from fabric. The process of ironing has evolved significantly since then, with the introduction of various types of irons, such as box irons, flatirons, and eventually, electric irons.
The first electric iron was invented in the 1880s, coinciding with the widespread electrification of American homes. Henry W. Seely of New York City received a patent for the electric flatiron in 1882. This early model had built-in coils and was heated on a rack, but it took a long time to heat up and cooled down quickly.
Improvements were made to the electric iron in the early 20th century, with the introduction of electric cords, improvements to the soleplate, and the addition of thermostats for temperature control. These advancements addressed the centuries-old challenge of constantly reheating the iron.
Steam irons, which revolutionized the process of ironing, were introduced in the 1920s. The Eldec Company unveiled the first steam iron in the mid-1920s, allowing for the pressing of dry materials. In 1926, a New York cleaning company first used an electronic steam iron. However, it wasn't until 1938 that the steam iron gained widespread popularity with the Steam-O-Matic, which sold for $10 and paved the way for other electric steam irons to enter the market during the mid-1900s.
The evolution of the steam iron continued in the following decades, with the introduction of irons capable of both wet and dry operation in the 1950s. Today, modern steam irons offer various features, such as anti-calc collectors to prevent limescale buildup, auto-off settings for safety, and spray functions to release a mist of water for stubborn wrinkles.
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Wrinkle-free fabrics reduce the need for irons
The first electric iron was invented in 1882 by Henry W. Seeley of New York City. The model had built-in coils and was heated on a rack. However, it took a long time to heat up and cooled rapidly once in use. The biggest breakthrough in smoothing-iron technology came in the early 20th century with the introduction of electric cords, which solved the issue of constantly reheating the iron.
Today, with the advent of wrinkle-free fabrics, the need for irons is decreasing. Wrinkle-free fabrics are materials that do not crumple or lose their shape after washing or when exposed to stress. They include synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, acrylic, and olefin, which have a natural resistance to wrinkles due to their low water absorption. Blending polyester with cotton and linen not only makes clothing wrinkle-free but also more durable. Wool is another example of a wrinkle-resistant fabric that is breathable and firm, making it suitable for all seasons.
Textile manufacturers also chemically treat fabrics to prevent wrinkles. Mild treatments can keep clothing wrinkle-free throughout the day after ironing, while stronger treatments eliminate the need for any ironing or steaming after washing. However, these chemical treatments can wear off over time, and certain treatments containing formaldehyde can cause skin irritation and respiratory issues.
In the 2000s, wrinkle-reduction sprays were introduced, providing an alternative method to reduce wrinkles. These sprays, made with vegetable oils, allow the fibers to slide closer together, helping them hold their shape. This process is more cost-effective and environmentally friendly, minimising chemical waste and energy consumption.
The development of wrinkle-free fabrics and alternative treatments has contributed to a decline in ironing, particularly in the United States. This trend is likely to continue as more shirts and pants are marketed as wrinkle-free, reducing the need for traditional irons.
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Frequently asked questions
The first electric iron was invented in 1882 by Henry W. Seely.
The first electric iron was heated by an arc of electricity between two carbon rods. It weighed 15 pounds and was considered unsafe.
By the 1920s, electric irons had become popular in the US and some parts of Europe.
