Clothes Irons

Irons have been part of the household inventory for centuries. This selection spanning the decades shows how closely their form depends on the system used to heat them up. The detachable wooden handle of the (American) sad iron reduces the risk of burning and makes it easier to remove the interchangeable iron from the heat source. In the blue electric iron by contrast, the iron and handle are seemingly fused together, with the streamlined housing made of insulating porcelain preventing the heat from reaching the handle.