Clothes iron

Set of five clothes irons, illustrating the two basic types used prior to the introduction of electricity: the flatiron and the box iron. One of the flatirons is artisanal and the other industrially manufactured, as can be seen by the maker’s brand, worn down by heat and usage.

Flatirons were placed facing the fire or directly on the range. If they were too hot, they could burn the cloth. Because they cooled relatively quickly, it was common to use several irons, replacing each one as it grew too cold. The box iron marked an advance, with hot coals inserted inside the iron to keep it hot.

The steam iron bears the initials UCM (for Unión Cerrajera de Mondragón), a brand that was founded in 1906 in Arrasate / Mondragon (Gipuzkoa).

Bibliography:

Leizaola, Fermín de. Burdina: Burdingintza eta forjaketa tradizionala : [Gipuzkoako Foru Aldundiaren Kultur Departamentuak Antolatutako Erakusketa] = Hierro : Ferrería y Forja Tradicional : [exposición...]. [Donostia = San Sebastián] : Diputación Foral de Guipúzcoa, Departamento de Cultura, Educación, Deportes y Turismo, 1989. 67-68.