IRONS.COM presents
S t r e a m l i n e d    I r o n s
from the collection of Jay Raymond
Jenkintown, Pennsylvania  USA
Electric Iron Blog 

Contact Jay directly if you would like further information about streamlined irons or electric irons in general.

Until then little thought had been given to how they looked. Instead, attention had been on how well they worked, as it had taken forty years to perfect the technology so that the heating elements were durable, the heat was spread evenly across the sole plate. and the temperature was predictable and stable. During this time of development, the irons sold themselves as their practical value (of making the job of ironing less onerous) was self-evident.

Once the market was saturated the Depression was a fact of life, thus the manufacturers had to market their irons by appealing to the senses. Streamlining, as an idea, offered the hope that times would improve if science were applied to everything, so, visually streamlining an object seemed to inherently improve it. As for ironing this was an illusion but it did make the irons quite beautiful.

Once the steam iron had been perfected the need to store water changed the shape of the iron. By the early fifties most irons no longer had a streamlined profile.

This collection began in the early 1980s with a few irons found at a church rummage sale. Since then it has grown to number near 200, with 80 or more different manufacturers represented. About ten percent of the collection if from outside the United States. Represented are Canada, England, Sweden, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland.

What is "streamlining"?

Henry Dreyfuss, the pioneering and respected US industrial designer, is said to have called streamlining, "cleanlining". One can see it by thinking of what can be done to minimise the wind resistance of an object. The leading edge is pointed and smoothed; all is curved and curved softly. Details are minimised. The object does not convey "heaviness". It conveys "lightness", "speediness", "simpleness", "sleekness", "frugalness" and the like. It is ironic that an "iron", a word conveying weight, should aspire to and appear non-weighty but it was as well suited to the idea as were train locomotives and graphics. (Later it would be learned that weight is virtually unnecessary for the chore of ironing wrinkled clothes: steam will enable fabric to straighten out almost by itself.)

The idea of streamlining and the materials, Bakelite, chromium plated steel and cast aluminum, were compatible. The materials could be used plastically, that is moldable, so that soft curves could be produced and very wide variations in designs could be achieved.

Streamlining an iron resulted in a great variety of profiles

Early on, streamlined irons were smoother versions of early electrics: the bases were made with softer edges. See the "Winpower" for an early convert. Its handle is old style and the base is new style. The "GE 149F84" successfully uses the new material Bakelite for its streamlined possibilities. Its base, though somewhat squared off, continues the line of the handle and so together a truly new (modern) look is seen. In fact, GE, called this iron "The Moderne".

Later, the handles became a single piece extending to the cowl at front and rear. Most irons of this period were like this. Four first rate examples of this are the "Erla F10", the "Montgomery Ward 24-DE-2669", the "General Mfg. Co" and most famously, the "Petipoint". At the end of the period the handle became completely integrated into the base: see the "Westinghouse ID-72" as the prime example.

Then there are the irons that had a way unto themselves, and the "Lady Dover 380" is one. Knapp-Monarch, who produced more variety in this field than any other manufacturer, used in this iron an unparalleled combination of multiple pieces of Bakelite, chrome bands, chrome leaves, color and texture. This, above a base used numerous times with completely different handles. See Knapp-Monarch"s "470R" and "19-504".

Some attempts were made to use wood, a material of the previous generation, as a "plastic" material. The results were usually awkward and not as cleanlined. See the "Selwyn Chief". A stunning exception to this is the Knapp-Monarch "Steam King", whose wood handle does not try beyond the wood"s plasticity and achieves a wonderfully integrated and unique streamlined profile.

Early steam irons and the end of streamlining

Just as streamlining was enabled by new technology, so was its demise. The development of a steam iron that boiled one drop of water at a time made the steam iron practical and very popular. Thus, the need to store water brought on larger and more squared off bases, which were now functioned as tanks. In fact the word "tank" can be used to see what happened to the sleek beauties of the thirties and forties: the irons of the fifties (and later) resemble army tanks in their bulk and squared off profile.

One iron solved this problem and managed to be one of the crowning achievements in streamlining, General Mills" "Tru Heat Iron". Designed like no other iron, it stands out today both for its appearance and its current population. No other iron has survived in the numbers it has. General Mills also took a unique approach to the steam challenge and produced a streamlined attachment for the iron that had a stainless (then later, black plastic) tank attached at the rear like an outboard motor to hold the water. Proctor also thought to attach a tank to their fourth and last generation "Never Lift". See model "990". The profile of this iron already is more of the following generation, but the translucent blue tank is clearly of the now fading streamlined generation.

All in all, "streamlining" began about 1934 and was mostly over by 1950. About three of those years, during WWII, saw little domestic production. So there were about 14 years when the irons were arriving in this style. In that time, in the USA, a very large, diverse and mostly independent manufacturing base produced an amazing array of beautiful, clean and shiny implements of household labor, and yet the chore of ironing was not made any less time consuming.

Note: Bakelite is an early plastic developed in 1907-09 by Leo Baekeland. Other similar materials were developed later. It has not been determined which particular version of this material was used in each iron, so to simplify, the term "Bakelite" is used to describe them all.

Click on the thumbnail image to see the full-size image.

Alcamatic Thermostat iron with Bakelite handle that has unusual aluminum button at the tip. Chromed steel cowl. Design patent issued March 30, 1948 and assigned to Eastern Metal Products in Tuckahoe, N.Y. Very few samples known.
American Electrical Heater Co. "American Beauty" Thermostat irons with Bakelite handles that have colored clear "Lucite" center sections. The more common red is model 79AB and the orange is model 33AB. The center sections are purely decorative but were a marketing success as this is one on the most common irons of this era found today. A model without the Lucite section was also produced. A design patent for the handle was issued to "F. Kuhn et al" in June 1940. This iron was produced from the early forties until the early fifties. In about 1894 this company produced on of the earliest electric irons.
American Electric Supply Co. "Princess De Luxe" Steam iron with Bakelite handle and cast aluminum body. This is a unique combination of hammered and smooth finishes and the boundary between the two makes the iron the eye-pleaser that it is. This iron and the Cardinal 333 have the same rear end and probably came from the same "hand." There were numerous companies with similar names in St. Louis that produced cast aluminum steam irons. This is most likely a pre-War item.
Ataco Steel Products Co. "Feather Way" model 140 Thermostat steam iron with Bakelite handle over aluminum body. A design patent was issued to Fred W. Busch on October 12, 1948 for a dry version. It was also labeled "Feather Way", was model 110 and made by American Thermo Appliance in Milwaukee. Ataco was in Grafton, Wisconsin. Few samples known of the 140: the 110 is easier to find.
Bersted Mfg. Co "Patrician" Standard iron with temperature indictor dial on top of cowl. Painted wood handle and chrome steel cowl. Produced in 1939 and perhaps other years.
Calor "Calormatic'" model 32 (France) Thermostat iron with burgundy Bakelite handle incorporating a red pilot light. Unknown production but appears pre WWII.
Cardinal Mfg. Co. "Cardinal" model 333 Thermostat steam iron with Bakelite handle over smooth-finished, cast alumuminum body. Made in St. Louis, probably pre-War.
Casco Products Co. "Casco N4" A steam iron made in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Plastic handle of unkown material over a stainless steel body. The handle is hinged at the rear and lifts up to reveal the port for water. Made in several colors: common in red and black, not so common in caramel and olive, rare in white and not yet seen in grey and teal. Produced from 1949 until sometime in the mid-fifties.
Century (Australia) A liquid fuel fired iron made in Australia. Liquid or gaseous fueled irons of the period were hindered in adopting streamlining due to the fuel burning apparatus, but adapt they did. Nothing is known about this version except its name and country of origin. It has a dark red Bakelite handle over a chromed cast iron body. The iron is opened for lighting by pressing down on the knob under the handle: this releases a latch and the entire top lifts off.
Chicago Electric Mfg. Co. "Handyhot" model 1501-SA-4270 Thermostat iron with Bakelite handle and chrome steel base. Mechanical patent issued 1942, design patent issued to "E.S. Preston" in April 1939. Manufactured in 1948 and perhaps just before and after. A textbook use of the streamlined design ethic.
Coleman Lantern and Stove Co. "Coleman" model 41 Automatic iron with Bakelite handle over chromed steel cowl. The same company that sells camping equipment sold electric irons, and their streamlined versions appeared in 1938 or 1939. Their model 40 is identical in appearance but operates at 800 watts instead of the 1100 watts of the 41. I suspect this iron may have been made by Westinghouse for Coleman, as it has striking similarities to the Westinghouse LPC-414.
Connecticut Appliance Co. model 361 Thermostat iron with Bakelite handle. A small regional manufacturer produced this somewhat outrageous iron. A very simple base is crowned by a complex handle and control knob. Unknown dates. Produced under several different names.
Eatonia (Canada) Standard iron with painted wood handle over chromed steel cowl. The thumb rest is plastic. C.S.A. approval no. 348. In Canada, all electrical appliances had to be approved by the government and the approval number stamped on the item. The five holes at the front of the cowl are reminiscent of the holes in the side of the hoods of the post-War Buick automobiles and just as (non) functional.
Dominion Electric Mfg. "Dominion" style 341 Made by Dominion Electric Mfg. Inc. of Mansfield, Ohio. The body of this iron is identical to the Montgomery Ward model "86-5091" but the handle is Bakelite. Design patent issued to William A. Barnes on April 5, 1938. Also seen labeled "Wizard", an auto parts company that sold domestic items as well. Very rare.
Dover Appliance Co. "Lady Dover" model 380 Made by Knapp-Monarch. Thermostat iron with a black two-piece Bakelite handle, that is painted with red accents and incorporates a red pilot light: a tour de force in streamlining. Knapp-Monarch, the king of streamlining irons, made this base with many different handles, including an earlier version of this model that used wood (in a more simplified shape) as the upper half of the handle. This iron is usually seen without the red accents and is somewhat common in that variety.
Dover Appliance Co. "Lady Dover" 280   Made by The Dover Mfg. Co. of Dover, Ohio. Body is identical to the United Motors Service Inc. "Delco" model 94161, but with a wooden handle and a different rest. The handle on this iron was originally a natural wood finish. I painted it black without any evidence that these would have come from the factory this way.
Erla Corp. "Erla" model F10 Thermostat iron with Bakelite handle and aluminum cowl and soleplate. Only known model produced by this Los Angeles, California Co. Zippy control knob and overall elegant realisation of the streamlined ethic. Probably a post WWII item.
General Electric model 126F115 Thermostat iron with Bakelite handle. The cowl is dark bluish grey and it is unknown how this finish was accomplished. GE was a dominant manufacturer and its designs showed the conservatism of a large corporation. This is one of the few that stands out of the crowd. This iron is somewhat rare and was produced in far greater numbers with a standard chrome finish. Also made with a white enamel finish. Uncertain production but approximately 1941.
General Electric model 149F84 Thermostat iron with blood red Bakelite handle. This iron was produced at least as early as 1935 (and perhaps until 1939) making it one of the early great and uncompromised uses of streamlining. GE continued to produce other more conservative designs but sold this as their top-of-the-line, usually referred to as the "Moderne". A common iron in black: quite rare in red.
General Electric Cat. no. F41A (Canada) Thermostat iron, black Bakelite handle, chromed steel cowl, cord is attached in such a way that it can swivel from right to left. Production dates unknown.
General Mfg. Co. (no model number) Thermostat iron with dark brown Bakelite handle and smooth finish cast aluminum base. Very unusual organically shaped handle, the product of a small Midwestern US manufacturer. Unknown production dates but the style suggests late thirties to early forties.
General Mills "Tru-Heat Iron" model 1B Thermostat iron with Bakelite handle and chromed steel cowl. The facilities and people General Mills had from War production were put to work producing home appliances after the War, a new venture for this breakfast cereal company. Designed by John Polivka and Francesco Collura, a great deal of effort went into product research and the iron was a sales sensation. A steam attachment, first with a stainless steel (model 4A) and then a black plastic (model 4B) tank, was made to slip on the sole plate of the iron. Introduced in 1946 as model 1A, it then became 1B (upper picture) and then 1BB (lower picture). By 1954 the appliance division was sold to McGraw Electric and re-labeled "Fostoria." Perhaps the most distinctive form and profile of the era: it uses elements of Deco, industrial design and streamlining. Perhaps because of its look people saved them, as there seems to be more of these around today than any other streamlined iron.
Gilson-Waage Appliance Co. (no model number) Thermostat iron with control knob in handle near top front edge. Painted wood handle and chrome steel base. Unknown production dates but design suggests mid to late thirties.
Gloria (Australia) A liquid fuel iron that shows a bit of streamlining in the sweep of the curve on the side of the body, echoed in the front support for the handle, and the upward tilt of the handle itself. The upper knob at the rear is a set screw that, when loosened, allows the top of the iron to be removed for lighting. Also seen with a chromed tank. A pre-War iron.
Hartford Products Corp. "Dream Automatic Speed Iron" model 1947 Thermostat iron, Bakelite handle, chrome steel cowl, aluminum sole plate. Made by a regional manufacturer in the eastern U.S. Unknown production dates, but design and "cat.no. 1947" suggests mid to late forties.
Hope Products. "Mermaid" (no model number) Steam iron (without thermostat) in "hammered" cast aluminum with black phenolic resin handle. An elegant use of materials.Unknown production. Identical model produced by American Electric Mfg as "The Chief" (model 501) which is common.
Jackson Appliance Mfg. Co. "Jackson" model 638 Thermostat iron with painted wood handle and chromed steel body. This iron, like the Heatmaster 644, is an intermediate, (but more tentative), step towards streamlining. It was sold in 1946 by a small regional manufacturer in Brooklyn, New York. This is one of two samples seen.
Knapp-Monarch model 19-504 Thermostat iron with dark brown Bakelite handle that incorporates a pilot light. Knapp-Monarch produced several irons with the same base and completely different handles, (see its model 470R, below). They also produced irons labeled for other brands, such as "Lady Dover, (see Lady Dover #380). The variety of their designs is unsurpassed by any manufacturer. This iron was made in 1946 and perhaps other years.
Knapp-Monarch model 470R Thermostat iron with dark brown Bakelite handle that incorporates a pilot light. Identical base to K-M 19-504 with more conservative handle. This iron is dated "2-42" and was probably not produced for more than a total of twelve months as K-M seemed to change designs frequently.
Knapp Monarch "Steam King" model 475R Thermostat steam iron with painted (brown) wood handle and "hammered" cast aluminum base. Unique in its design and use of materials. A design patent was issued to "R.I. Huffman" in April 1941. Standing taller than all other irons this combines streamlining and an industrial look in an extraordinary way: this from a manufacturer that produced a wide array of irons in an equally wide array of styles. Production dates unknown.
Knapp-Monarch "Copper-Magik" model 19-509 Thermostat iron with brown Bakelite handle. Unusual for the control knob incorporated into the front of the handle and designed to be rested on its side, like the General Mills. This was made in at least two variations; the other has a black handle, a different identification plate on top and a different model number: 19-510A. Made in 1951 and, perhaps, other years.
Landers, Frary & Clark "Universal" model E-9191 Standard iron with wood handle and brass plated cowl. This iron, probably from the twenties or early thirties shows early influence of streamlining. The handle, instead of being a simple, straight wood turning, is mildly curved. The leading edge slopes gently. The back end is rounded (which the manufacturer claimed) and thus was sold as "wrinkle proof." This is the only U.S. electric iron I am aware of that used brass. It was also made with a chromed steel cowl.
Landers, Frary and Clark "Universal" model EA-1203 Thermostat iron with burgundy and black Bakelite handle, sporting a grille in the front behind which is a "headlight". This is one of several irons from this period that were made with lights to illuminate the work for the user. Sold in the late forties.
Manning Bowman cat.no. 2492 Thermostat iron with Bakelite handle. This irons is date stamped Jan. 1948 and may have been produced in adjacent years.
Magic Maid 890   Made by Son-Chief Electronics of Winstead, CT. Clunky body and kind of clunky handle but the two work together well. Only one known. Literature in box dated "1-48". I think this iron and the Connecticut Appliance Co. model 361 were made by the same company.
Manning-Bowman Co. model 2494 Thermostat iron with Bakelite handle. This Meriden, Connecticut company sold this as "The IRONS-THAT-WAGS-ITS-TAIL!" since the cord could swing 180° to accomodate left or right-handed users. It was sold just pre and post-War.
Middleton model H   Manufactured by Middleton and Meads Co. Inc. of Baltimore, Maryland. Bakelite handle. This company made a travel iron it labeled the "Greyhound" which has survived in very large numbers. However, this is the only example found of a full-sized iron by this company. Probably post-War.
Montgomery Ward model 25-DE-2669 Thermostat iron with Bakelite handle and a pilot light just behind temperature control. Montgomery Ward was a department store and had their irons made for them. This one was produced by "Dominion" which also labeled it with their own name. Although the handle on this model is unusual, the identical base is found on many other irons made by Dominion with different wood and plastic handles.
Montgomery Ward model 86-2612 Thermostat iron with black phenlolic resin handle painted red at rear and on temperature control (located at front of rear base of handle). Made by Landers, Frary and Clark for Montgomery Ward. Produced in 1949 and perhaps adjacent years.
Montgomery Ward model 86-5091 Thermostat iron, painted wood handle with chrome steel handle supports and base. Almost certainly made by "Dominion" for Ward. U.S. design patent issued to "W.A. Barnes" and assigned to Dominion in April 1938. Unknown production dates but probably late thirties, eary forties. A classic in "streamlining": all elements including the control knob suggest speed.
Montgomery Ward Cat. No. 86-D5113 Thermostat iron with a wood handle and chromed steel cowl. A design patent was issued to F.D. Chapman on July 28, 1936 and assigned to Montgomery Ward. This large chain of department stores hired a variety of manufacturers to make their designs, which were often quite distinctive. This one was probably made by Dover and certainly pre-War, though exact dates not yet discovered.
National Stamping and Electrical Works "White Cross" model 351 Automatic iron with Bakelite handle. Made in Chicago. An iron with elegant lines: it was also produced with a gunmetal dark grey body. Both versions are difficult to find.
National Stamping and Electrical Works "White Cross" model 351   Same iron as above but with the gunmetal blue finish also seen on General Electric model 126F115. Only sample known.
Not Identified   Nothing known about this iron. Aluminum body with aluminum, steel and wooden handle. Only sample known.
Novex-Siebert "Ultramatic" model 44 (France) Thermostat iron with a single piece Bakelite body. This maroon beauty, reportedly made circa 1935, makes it clear again that the U.S. was not alone in producing streamlined irons of the first rank. It"s complex shape shows the streamlines, while the handle and body terminate in truncated wings.
Presto S-10 and S-11   Made by National Pressure Cooker Company of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The version in black is model S-10 and was advertised 1950-52 and 1955. The colored versions, which are paint over black bakelite, were advertised in the November 1955 issue of "Ladies Home Journal". (This ad also showed a lime green version, not yet found.) The black iron is very common: only one other colored version is known outside this collection. These were designed by C. Brooks Stevens, the same designer of the r an early convert. Its handle is old style and the base is new style. The Waverly Tool Co. Petipoint model 410. The design patent for the Presto was issued on Oct. 18, 1949.
Proctor Electric Co. "Never-Lift" model 960 Thermostat iron with Bakelite handle that has painted red stripes on the side. This is the second generation of Proctor irons that incorporated built in spring loaded supports. The first generation was called the "Snap Stand" and the second through fourth, the "Never Lift". The legs were released from their retracted and locked postion by pushing the small red button at the top front of the handle. When resuming ironing, one would push down on the iron until it contacted the surface and then pressed with the heel of one"s hand on the large knob at the top rear of the handle which would lock the now retracted legs. This dominant manufacturer was successful in marketing this feature and this pre War version was sold from about 1939 to 1942. The post war version is nearly identical but with the elimination of the chrome leaves at the base of the handle and other minor changes that made it less expensive to produce. A common iron, even nowadays, though less so than its post War sister.
Proctor Electric Co. "Never-Lift" model 965 Thermostat steam iron with the "Never Lift" feature. Black Bakelite handle incorporating a "headlight" in one of the more organic shapes seen in the era. The water supply was stored in a tank that was clamped to the ironing board and fed through a tube to a small port in the top right hand side of the iron. This port can be just seen between the back of the temperature control and the base of the handle. Produced just before and during the early years of WWII. A somewhat rare iron: more so with its accessories.
Proctor Electric Co. "Mary Proctor Never Lift" Steamer, model 990 Steam iron, Bakelite handle, chrome steel cowl. This is the fourth and last generation of Proctor"s "Never Lift" series, produced beginning about 1952. This generation offered a steam version by attaching a translucent plastic water resevoir to the back of the iron. The Never Lift feature was the most sophisticated in that no release was required to retract the post (vs. legs in the earlier generations). The user would simply push down on the iron until the sole plate contacted the surface and the post would remain retracted until the small red lever under the front of the handle was pulled again. Made with a green tank and an almost identical version under the "Windsor" name that had a red reservoir..
Proctor Electric Co. "Windsor Never-Lift model R-11   Made by Proctor Electric Co. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Translucent red water tank and red accent on handle, but otherwise identical to Mary Proctor Never-Lift Steamer model 990.
Mary Proctor Never-Lift model 990   Semi-translucent yellow and blue tank with blue accent on handle but otherwise identical to above.
Rival Mfg. Co. "Steam-O-Matic" model R-500-A Thermostat steam iron with Bakelite handle and stainless steel body. The handle is hinged at the rear to lift and reveal the port for water. This company, in 1938, produced one of the first steam irons, (see the Steam-o-Matic without a model no. in this exhibition). Later, they went on to produce the Petipont. After starting out in New York City, then moving to Milwaukee and Sandusky, Ohio, they ended up in Kansas City, Missouri and remain in business there. The R-500, introduced in 1949, was soon changed to a simpler, less dramatic handle and produced for several years. The later versions are quite common: the first, not so common.
Samson-United model 4341 (Canada) Thermostat iron, variegated brown "Bakelite" handle, chrome steel cowl, U.S. Design patent issued December 1936 to A.O. Samuels. Production dates unknown.
Sears, Roebuck and Co. "Heatmaster" model 844 Thermostat iron with painted wood handle. This pre-War iron is an intermediate step towards a fully streamlined profile. Like the old irons it uses metal standards for the handle, but they are sculpted. The handle too uses the old material, wood, but again it is shaped to become torpedo-like. Even the control knob shows some concession to the times. Heatmaster was Sears" house brand and so was made in large numbers, though this model has not been easy to find.
Selwyn Engineering Co. "Chief" model A150 Thermostat iron, painted wood handle, cast aluminum cowl. Produced by a small regional manufacturer in the midwestern U.S. Unknown production dates: probably mid to late thirties.
Silex Co. "Silex" model 4144-244 Thermostat steam iron with black Bakelite handle with red accents and a cast aluminum base. The cord is attached so that it can swing from one side to the other. This was produced in 1947 and probably other years.
Steam Electric Mfg. Co. "Steemco Steemette" model 700 Travel sized steam iron with Bakelite handle and aluminum body. Unusual for its small size and a handle suspended at the front (vs. the rear), it has one of the cleanest profiles of any iron of the period. Another aluminum steamer made in St. Louis. Produced circa 1957.
Sperti model AX-10   Made by Sperti, Inc. (Appliance Division) in Cincinnati, Ohio. Unusual Bakelite handle suspended at front with cord that swings left or right for right or left handed users. Only sample known. Dates unknown, but probably post War.
Steem Electric Co. "Steemx Automatic" model C-7 Thermostat steam iron with Bakelite handle and cast aluminum body, painted red. Reportedly also made in light green, this is the only painted iron of the times. Like all early steam irons, this boiled the whole tank of water which made for slow and erratic steam production. Using two "e""s to spell steam was used by several of the St. Louis companies. Probably pre-War.
Steam-O-Matic Corp. (no model number) Very early steam iron that boils the entire reservoir to produce steam, a slow and erratic process. The cast "hammered" aluminum base is filled with water through an opening in the top; a two-eared, threaded stopper can be seen below the painted wooden handle. This is probably model "A" as later versions are "B", "C" and "D". Produced in 1938 and, perhaps, adjacent years
Singer Sewing Machine Co. "Singer" model D Thermostat iron with black Bakelite handle. Produced in 1947 and probably adjacent years. The best in streamlined temperature control knobs.
Tennessee Valley   Tags indicate that it is "A Tennesse Valley Top Line Product" dated November 1948. Priced at $9.95 by "Beaulieu-Ineck & Co." of Winner, South Dakota. Aluminum body with Bakelite handle fastened to three parallel aluminum fins at the front and rear. Large wire rest.
The Weinco (Australia)   Marked "Made Expressly for Allen and Stark, Ltd." Aluminum body with Bakelite handle. No temperature control. Dates unknown.
Thermac cat. no. FL45A1   Made by MacArthur Products of Indian Orchard, Massachusetts. Bakelite handle. Advertised in December, 1946 issue of "Electrical Merchandising".
Twentieth Century model 4A (Australia)   Bakelite handle that also serves as heat shield from the base. Unknown dates.
United Motors Service Inc. "Delco" model 94161 Thermostat iron with phenolic resin handle over a chromed steel cowl. A nearly identical version is found labeled "Lady Dover" which was made by The Dover Mfg. Co. in Dover, Ohio, who probably made this one as well. This company, Delco, was a division of General Motors. The control knob is heart-shaped in front with tail feathers shooting out the back. Unknown production dates.
Waverly Tool Co. "Petipoint" model 410 Thermostat iron with Bakelite handle. Design patent issued to "C.B. Stevens" in July 1941. Mr. (Brooks) Stevens is a well known industrial designer of the period and the Petipoint is seem by some as one of the premier achievements in iron design. The fins on the sides extend beyond the plane of the cowl, giving the appearance of wings and the flight theme is echoed in the "duck tail" at the back of the iron . This iron was also produced with a black control knob and with the "Edmilton Corp." listed, a predecessor to the Waverly Tool Co. Sold just pre War, exact dates unknown.
Westinghouse model ID-72 Thermostat iron with black and cream Bakelite handle incorporated into the base. A striking use of materials. This was produced with minor variations including larger print "Westinghouse" on top of the handle and a small Westinghouse badge mounted on the "bow" of the handle. Also made in all black. Produced approximately 1949-50.
Winpower Mfg. Co. "Winpower Select Heat" model 64PS Standard iron with painted wood handle and black ceramic finished base. This is a 32V DC iron, made (I am told) for a farm or wherever site-generated power was used. It has three prongs at the rear and three different wattages could be selected by using differnt pairs. A nearly identical 120VAC iron was made with the "Waage" name . Unknown production but probably mid thirties.
Winsted Hardware Co. "Durabilt" model 123 Thermostat iron. Handle is mottled burgundy color and of unknown composition. Unknown production dates but is probably early in the streamlined era, i.e. mid thirties.
Yale & Towne Mfg. Co. "Tip-Toe" Themostat iron with black Bakelite handle. Produced in 1947 and 1948 and perhaps after. This company, well known for its line of hardware and locks, entered the small appliance market by selling this one iron. Large one page colored ads in many variations were produced to sell its unique feature: the front section of the sole plate is attached separately and hinged so that it can remain in contact with the clothes when the rear of the iron is lifted slightly. This enabled the user to work in small areas.One of the more "over-the-top" uses of streamlining it also featured a cord that swivels from right to left. The iron appears to have a headlamp but this is white painted stripes. Yale probably had this iron made for them as it was also produced as "Bersted Mfg Co."s model 530". Bersted was a small appliance manufacturer.

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