General Information

Serial #

N/A

Part Number

1

Total Parts

3

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

Nickel-plated cast iron body. Wooden valve knob. Brass and copper fittings. Nickel-plated metal fuel tank.

Dimensions

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

Length

33.3 cm

Width

14.8 cm

Height

21.3 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

Imperial Brass

Country

United States of America

State/Province

Illinois

City

Chicago

Context

Country

Unknown

State/Province

Unknown

Period

Unknown

Canada

Common in rural areas of Canada before electrification (1911 into the 1950s). Part of the Ontario Hydro collection donated to the museum in 1992. Ontario Hydro received this iron from Toronto Hydro-Electric Systems and accessioned it into their collection in 1964.

Function

Used to press and smooth textiles. This style of iron was equipped with a tank filled with kerosene which had to be pressurized through the use of a small hand pump. Liquid fuel ran through a tube near the burner element, vaporized and burned. The temperature of the sole plate could be controlled with a small adjustment to the wheel. 'Imperial Self Heating Flat Iron' is an unusual model because the "external pump" could be left threaded on top of the tank.

Technical

It was marketed as an advancement in the design and task of ironing, as the user was no longer required to stay near a hot oven, electrical source or gas supply.

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

Patent information on iron element reads: 'PAT. FEB. 28. 11'. Black sticker on proper left side of iron reads: 'MG2-4'. Red sticker on proper left side of iron reads: 'MG.2.4'.

Missing

From CA of 04/07/1994 by Tony Missio: No - Complete

Finish

Polished nickel finish on body and fuel tank. Unfinished wooden knob. Unfinished brass and copper fittings.

Decoration

N/A