Historians believe that before the invention of the iron people used heavy flat stones for smoothing fabrics. There are cave drawings that explain how people used that tool: they would spread wet clothes out on the flat surface of a stone, cover it with another stone and wait until the clothes were completely dry. It helped to remove some of the wrinkles. A somewhat better idea occurred to the ancient Greeks in the 4th century BC: they ironed clothes using heated objects of various sizes. They even managed to achieve a pleating effect, by using a hot metal rod.
In Russia, the industrial production of modern irons began in the 18th century. In particular, the Demidov factories in the Urals became famous for producing high-quality irons. There were various types of irons designed specifically for ironing hats, lace, cuffs, and even pool table cloths. There was also a high demand for small metal soleplates shaped like a drop or an oval and attached to a long handle — they were used for ironing sleeves. Metal irons shaped like a hand were used for gloves.
The iron filled with burning charcoal replaced metal stove-heated irons in the middle of the 18th century and remained the most popular option until the invention of the modern electric iron. Later its design was improved by adding a funnel to remove excess heat and a grate to prevent contact between the clothes and charcoal. In general, the iron resembled a miniature stove filled with birch charcoal. It even had a blower — an opening for improving ventilation.
Such irons are often compared to steamboats because some of them are equipped with an actual miniature funnel. This modification was very popular back in the day. An iron with a funnel operated similarly to a regular wood-burning stove: the charcoal would burn due to air supply, and the draft was controlled by the lid at the back of the iron body. Besides, the funnel protected the user from hand burns by removing excess heat. The unique feature of this type of irons was the lack of holes along the body sides which were used for supplying air in other models.
In Russia, the industrial production of modern irons began in the 18th century. In particular, the Demidov factories in the Urals became famous for producing high-quality irons. There were various types of irons designed specifically for ironing hats, lace, cuffs, and even pool table cloths. There was also a high demand for small metal soleplates shaped like a drop or an oval and attached to a long handle — they were used for ironing sleeves. Metal irons shaped like a hand were used for gloves.
The iron filled with burning charcoal replaced metal stove-heated irons in the middle of the 18th century and remained the most popular option until the invention of the modern electric iron. Later its design was improved by adding a funnel to remove excess heat and a grate to prevent contact between the clothes and charcoal. In general, the iron resembled a miniature stove filled with birch charcoal. It even had a blower — an opening for improving ventilation.
Such irons are often compared to steamboats because some of them are equipped with an actual miniature funnel. This modification was very popular back in the day. An iron with a funnel operated similarly to a regular wood-burning stove: the charcoal would burn due to air supply, and the draft was controlled by the lid at the back of the iron body. Besides, the funnel protected the user from hand burns by removing excess heat. The unique feature of this type of irons was the lack of holes along the body sides which were used for supplying air in other models.
