Storage iron

Storage irons, also called solid-plate irons, were devices used for ironing that resembled modern electric irons in appearance. The design of storage irons was simple: they consisted of a solid, heavy block of metal with a characteristic shape and a handle. Initially, they were made from forged iron, but later, cast iron was used. Solid-plate irons were widespread across Europe, including Poland, and in some regions, they were still in use after the Second World War. Before use, the iron had to be heated, typically done at home on a kitchen stove. The main drawback of the storage iron was that it lost heat quickly. To maintain continuous ironing, at least two irons were needed – while one was in use, another was heated. Another issue was that storage irons usually had metal handles, which easily became hot. To avoid burns, the handles were wrapped in thick fabric or leather, which was inconvenient and increased the risk of dropping the iron. An innovative solution was patented in 1871 by American Mary Potts (1850–1922). Her design featured a securely fastened and detachable handle, accompanied by a set of iron bases that could be heated, allowing for the ironing of different types of clothes. This solution quickly gained popularity in the American market and eventually became widespread, with detachable-handle irons being produced in many places around the world. The storage iron presented here comes from the ethnographic collection of the National Museum in Szczecin. It is decorated on the sides with a continuous geometric pattern. Agnieszka Słowińsk