The history of the appearance and development of the iron - from coal to modern

The history of the creation of such a device as an iron goes back centuries. Constantly improving, this device over the years has changed its appearance. The invention and the subsequent introduction of irons in everyday life has gone a long way: from models that are extremely dangerous to use due to coal to extremely bulky cast iron products, from alcohol devices to electricity-powered ones. Nowadays, iron is considered quite ordinary and already commonplace, and hundreds of years ago it was considered a luxury item and even served as a decoration for any home.

Experts believe that the word “iron” came to us from the ancient Turkic language, where the word “iron” consists of 2 bases: “ut” - “fire”, “yuk” - “put”.

Iron is a household appliance for ironing clothes and various items of clothing. It consists of a heating case made of metal, a smooth surface on the bottom and a convenient handle on top. The principle of operation and the structure of this device is not the most complicated: with the help of electric current, the spiral is heated to a certain temperature and transfers the heat received to the metal plate, which is called the sole. Modern advanced models of ironing appliances are equipped with various systems: for example, preventing the appearance of scale, all kinds of electronic elements and complex regulators, the presence of which can, on the one hand, complicate the entire structure, and on the other, make it the most convenient to use.

From the earliest times, all people dreamed of providing quality care for the items of their clothes, so that even after a long wash they looked without bruises and ugly folds. Therefore, for these purposes, most likely, an iron was invented at one time, which over hundreds of years overcame all periods of its own evolution - from polished warm stone to an improved form of a wireless unit with a steaming function and such power that can be adjusted.

The oldest prototypes of such devices as irons, archaeologists consider flat, specially polished and rather heavy cobblestones. Wet clothes after washing were laid out on their leveled surface, another stone was laid on top of it and all the “ironing” elements were left in this position until they were completely dry. That is how the ancient Aztecs "stroked" their clothes. As a result, in part, many folds from clothes really disappeared.

The inhabitants of Ancient Rome "stroked" their crumpled tunics with a heavy metal hammer: all available folds on the togas were “knocked out” by multiple blows with this sledgehammer. On Russian lands, they ironed for quite a long time, using 2 devices at once: a medium-sized stick with a round cross section, which was called a “roll” or “rolling pin”, and a wooden plank with a corrugated surface, which had many names - for example, “ruble”, “Rib”, as well as “pralnik”.

In the IV century BC, the ancient Greeks used a heated rod of metal to iron their clothes. Much later, the mechanical methods of smoothing clothes are replaced by ironing, where hot metals are used. Before the emergence of electricity, it was still very far away, for this reason people used the most interesting designs. In the Middle Ages, something like a pan was used, in which hot flaming coals were put and with its help they stroked their clothes. Of course, this method was extremely uncomfortable and even unsafe, moreover, sparks flying in all directions could leave holes on the linen that was ironing. With the help of such methods, mankind realized the main thing: to iron clothes most effectively, using some kind of hot metal surface.

No one will surely say when and who invented the device that is now called the “iron” and in which specific country of the world it first appeared. The very first analogue of the iron, according to researchers, was born when people created the first woven clothes. Although some famous archaeologists are completely sure that primitive people also smoothed animal skins - most likely, with mammoth bones, and this may mean that the name of the creator of the first analogue for ironing will be hidden from us forever.

But it’s known how the iron was gradually improved. People even in quite ancient times quickly invented and implemented various ways of ironing clothes, so that crumpled things look stylish after any washing and are not too wrinkled. One of the simplest and most ancient methods that the most ancient people have actively used is still used by many women in the world - just to stretch the damp tissue on the stone under the scorching sun. Then most of the washed things will look dumb.

The very first recorded evidence that such devices as irons were actively used in everyday life has a date of February 10, 1636, although, according to experts, the iron appeared in the homes of ordinary people much earlier than this date and today we can safely assume that it is already more than 2 , 5 thousand years. This is precisely the age of those devices that, by their functional features, remind everyone of the now familiar iron, that is, their origin can be dated to about 500 BC. e.

The very first mention of the device for ironing in Russia occurs in the middle of the XVII century. In 1636, Tsarina Evdokia first mentioned the word “iron” in her notes.

In the manufacture of them they were decorated with luxurious ornaments, they could even be inherited, which already testifies to what valuable objects in the dwelling these still primitive devices were. The presence of this device in the house was considered a sign of family well-being, since then these devices were extremely expensive. Often, an iron was placed on a napkin next to a hot samovar as an additional decoration of the tea drinking process, or installed in the most prominent place of the house and proudly shown to guests.

For the most notable inhabitants, irons of the most incredible types could be produced - for example, in the form of a rooster or even with a pipe. It was often possible to see on antique irons even inlaid with copper on the iron basis of the fixture, and for irons in the homes of wealthy inhabitants, even silver ornaments. The handles for these devices were most often made of wood and were mostly smooth, but could also be curly, depending on the preferences of the owners of the house. In addition, very small irons were produced, which helped to smooth complex lace and other smallest details on clothes without problems.

A little later, a fixture of cast iron appears. It had to be heated before use on a fire or in an oven before use. This ironing device warmed up for a long time, to work with it had to put on gloves on the hands, as the handle became too hot. Soon it was improved a bit and it became possible to remove the handle - with one base it was possible to iron, the second will be heated at the same time. The cast iron product was very heavy and quite massive, for this reason it was possible to iron only very coarse fabrics with high quality. A small iron was chosen to iron delicate materials.

In Germany 150 years ago, an alcohol device first appeared. Advertising for such an iron could be read even in the magazines of the 1913 edition. The principle of operation of the device was similar to the well-known design of a lamp with kerosene: alcohol was simply poured into the device, it was ignited, due to this, the heat necessary for heating the iron was released. Such an old-fashioned device was lightweight, it warmed up pretty quickly, was mobile. But he had one huge minus - its cost was high and therefore it was used only in rich houses.

One hundred years ago, “coal” or “wind” devices were very popular. Outwardly, they looked like mini-stoves: inside the appliances were red glowing coals. To provide traction, special holes were drilled into the structure from the side. Sometimes the coal-fired iron even had a separate smoke exhaust pipe. To rekindle the coals that had already cooled down a little, they fanned hard into the holes or actively waved the iron itself, although it was not so light.

At the end of the 19th century, the production of "gas" irons began. Such a device was really heated with gas. Inside the device was placed a tube made of a special metal that was not afraid of heat, its second end was placed in a gas cylinder, and a pump was placed on top. So the gas distribution inside the device was carried out, qualitatively heating its sole during operation.But such irons were almost the most dangerous: gas leaks became a real disaster, because of them fires often occurred and even explosions occurred.

It is worth recalling one more rather old-fashioned type of demanded design for smoothing clothes - these are cast iron irons made of hot iron that burned directly on the fire or in the stove. They were first used in the 18th century and were produced in Russia until the 60s of the 20th century. And although for a long time it was possible to buy an electric appliance, cast irons continued to be popular, because not all houses in those years had sockets.

The earliest devices powered by electricity were quite capricious during operation, so in 1892, two companies altered the appliance a bit at once, inserting a special spiral into it to heat the sole. The spiral was completely isolated and placed in the body of the product above the sole itself. After this innovation, irons could be considered practically harmless. A device of this kind is still in use today, only small design elements change in its structure and very convenient functions are added.

So, in the 30s of the XX century, one of the main elements appeared in the structure of the electric device - this is the thermostat, which should control the set temperature and turn off the spiral in time when the desired level of heating of the iron base is reached.

In the 70s, the ironing bases of devices changed significantly: they were no longer made metal, since they began to produce soles from glass ceramics. The use of new materials significantly reduced the coefficient of friction of the sole of the iron against any fabric. For this reason, today all modern appliances glide over fabrics, which greatly facilitates the ironing process for housewives.

To further facilitate the use of irons, appliances are supplemented with humidifiers. The first designs of these interesting fixtures were very creative. At the end of the 20th century, 2 German women received a patent for the device, to the nose of which a device was attached with a small cup filled to the brim with water. At the bottom of this cup was a hole that covered a cork with an elongated handle. It was necessary to press lightly on this handle, and the cork immediately opened, while water instantly sprayed onto a dry cloth, facilitating the ironing process. B. Kratz came up with an even more interesting device: he fixed a rubber ball with small holes on the handle of the device. The pear was filled with water and, if necessary, squeezed by hand - water was actively sprayed onto the fabric, making the ironing process more comfortable.

In 1868, a patent for a musical iron was obtained - this unique device made funny sounds at the time of ironing. This strange at first glance invention made it possible to turn the tedious work of ironers into a much more fun action. Handles and a case of this kind of products were often decorated with enamel of different colors, openwork carvings and beautifully painted. And this chic design of the iron was extremely fashionable, so irons with music were produced until the 1920s.

Recently, progress has inevitably expanded philistine horizons. These new trends touched all familiar irons. One of the most interesting inventions in this area has become a unique system called "Laurastar". It can be briefly described as follows: it feeds steam immediately to a special ironing board, which works simultaneously with the iron.

This principle is completely safe for any type of fabric, in addition, the latest technology allows you to remove not only the existing folds, but even odors, and, most surprisingly, it removes stains. Using it, you can remove glossy places from the fabric, as well as dry the laundry, since the board itself will heat up when ironing.

You can see more about the history of irons in the next video.