Laundry day was far more labor-intensive than it is now.
The person doing the ironing had to repeatedly lift and move a heavy object.
And that was only one step in the laundry process.
The Wooden Handle Had an Important Job
The wooden handle seen in the photograph wasn’t merely decorative.
It served an important practical purpose.
Wood is a poor conductor of heat compared with metal, making it much safer to hold than a metal handle attached directly to a hot iron.
The user could grip the wooden portion while moving the heated iron across clothing.
This is a detail that demonstrates how carefully these old tools were designed.
The makers had to think about how a person would interact with an object that could become extremely hot.
The handle needed to be sturdy enough to support the weight of the iron while remaining relatively comfortable to hold.
And because the tool was repeatedly heated and cooled, its materials had to withstand considerable stress.
What Is the Small Opening For?
