What seems essential today may become obsolete tomorrow.
And what seems strange to us may once have been an ordinary part of daily life.
The Answer to the Mystery
So, if you’ve been staring at the photograph wondering what that unusual metal box with a wooden handle could possibly be, the answer is much simpler than it first appears.
It’s a charcoal box iron.
Hot charcoal was placed inside the iron, where it produced the heat necessary to warm the heavy metal body.
The heated bottom was then used to press clothing and remove wrinkles.
The wooden handle allowed the user to hold and move the hot iron.
The vents helped regulate airflow.
The heavy construction helped retain heat and apply pressure.
It was a practical solution for a world before electric irons became commonplace.
And although it may look primitive compared with today’s appliances, it was an ingenious piece of household technology for its time.
A Small Object With a Big Story
