The Wama spirit iron comprises of a white metal body with rows of holes and a fuel tank. The wooden handle platform is decorated with plant ornaments. This is the only spirit iron stored in the funds of the Local History Museum of Kopeysk City District.
The fact that warm metal helps smooth the fabric was learned by humanity a long time ago. In the 4th century BC, the Greeks invented a method of ironing chitons and tunics with a heated metal rod. In the middle ages, they began to use a different device. It was very similar to an ordinary frying pan. Inside a cast-iron brazier with a handle, hot coals were laid, and such a ‘frying pan’ was used for smoothen the clothes. This ‘iron’ was not very convenient and safe. Sparks and small embers constantly flew out of the brazier and spoiled the fabric. Another ancient type of iron, i.e. cast irons, appeared in the 18th century. These irons were heated over an open fire or in a hot oven. In our country, they were popular even in the 60s of the 20th century, because many still could not use an electric iron due to the fact that not all homes had sockets.
In the pre-electric era, in addition to solid-fuel irons, there were irons with liquid fuel. As a rule, kerosene, alcohol, or liquefied gas served as fuel for them. The fuel was burned by a spirit lamp, and the device was heated. At the end of the 19th century, spirit irons were considered one of the most practical home appliances. They did not emit a smell, did not emit smoke, and did not form soot. Such an iron was ready for use in a couple of minutes after ignition and at the same time consumed a minimum of alcohol. The principle of operation was as follows. A spirit lamp was removed from the iron, and alcohol was poured inside and set on fire. When the entire core of the spirit lamp was covered with lights, it was inserted back into the iron. The fire quickly and evenly heated the sole of the iron. At the end of operation, the spirit lamp was removed again, and the fire was blown out.
Since the spirit iron does not need an outlet, it can be used on the road. Therefore, it continued to be in demand, even when electricity was already widespread. But still, these irons had their drawbacks. The first disadvantage is the high price. For those years, one spirit iron cost 10 rubles, while cast iron cost only 1 ruble. For comparison, a room with furniture, heating, and a samovar was rented in Moscow for 5 rubles a month. The second disadvantage of this device was that alcohol often leaked. It caught fire, and a fire broke out in the apartment.
The fact that warm metal helps smooth the fabric was learned by humanity a long time ago. In the 4th century BC, the Greeks invented a method of ironing chitons and tunics with a heated metal rod. In the middle ages, they began to use a different device. It was very similar to an ordinary frying pan. Inside a cast-iron brazier with a handle, hot coals were laid, and such a ‘frying pan’ was used for smoothen the clothes. This ‘iron’ was not very convenient and safe. Sparks and small embers constantly flew out of the brazier and spoiled the fabric. Another ancient type of iron, i.e. cast irons, appeared in the 18th century. These irons were heated over an open fire or in a hot oven. In our country, they were popular even in the 60s of the 20th century, because many still could not use an electric iron due to the fact that not all homes had sockets.
In the pre-electric era, in addition to solid-fuel irons, there were irons with liquid fuel. As a rule, kerosene, alcohol, or liquefied gas served as fuel for them. The fuel was burned by a spirit lamp, and the device was heated. At the end of the 19th century, spirit irons were considered one of the most practical home appliances. They did not emit a smell, did not emit smoke, and did not form soot. Such an iron was ready for use in a couple of minutes after ignition and at the same time consumed a minimum of alcohol. The principle of operation was as follows. A spirit lamp was removed from the iron, and alcohol was poured inside and set on fire. When the entire core of the spirit lamp was covered with lights, it was inserted back into the iron. The fire quickly and evenly heated the sole of the iron. At the end of operation, the spirit lamp was removed again, and the fire was blown out.
Since the spirit iron does not need an outlet, it can be used on the road. Therefore, it continued to be in demand, even when electricity was already widespread. But still, these irons had their drawbacks. The first disadvantage is the high price. For those years, one spirit iron cost 10 rubles, while cast iron cost only 1 ruble. For comparison, a room with furniture, heating, and a samovar was rented in Moscow for 5 rubles a month. The second disadvantage of this device was that alcohol often leaked. It caught fire, and a fire broke out in the apartment.
