A Piece From The Past

You just NEVER know what you might find while out hitting the yard sales.

This is what I came home with on Sunday.

I wasn't even sure what it was at first. Then I opened up the lid. It is a huge electronic iron or mangle. These were popular in the 40's and 50's (and Miele still makes one today. for housewives with at least $200.00 to spend on such things ( a LOT of money 60 years ago!).

It features a huge iron plate with settings for both sides. You actually roll your linens or shirts or ruffled dress (can you imagine?) through the huge linen wrapped roller and PRESTO- you pieces are ironed!

This one is a Firestone brand. I couldn't find a lot of info on it on the internet. Looks like Firestone make appliances for a while in the late 1940's. A very popular brand of mangle was the Ironrite. I was able to find lots of info on that one and even an instructional video on how to use it!
I guess after your purchased one of these pricey gadgets a technician would come to your house and show you the movie and help you get started.

Can you imagine?

I called my Mom as soon as I found this. She has memories of both her grandmother and mother using a mangle in their huge laundry room back in Manistique Michigan. They would iron bed linens, tablecloths and clothing with it. Turns out they were a bit dangerous and her sister burned her hand on it (not something you would want around with toddlers).

The remise of this machine was that you could actually sit down and iron. The pedal on the left side was a knee pedal to roll the roller mechanism. (kind of like a sewing machine lever).

I'm quite fascinated by this contraption. I haven't fired it up yet, BUT I'm planning to later today. I want to run some of my favorite vintage tablecloths through here and give it a spin.

Confession: I've never been very good at the whole ironing thing--it must have skipped my generation. My Mom still irons her jeans every day. She DID stop ironing sheets and pillowcases, though (eee gads!).

I can see a huge value in this SUPER IRON - can't you?

I'll let you know how it works after I finish up with my "to do" list today.

What am I going to do with it? Not sure yet. I will probably put it in my space as a conversation piece and maybe someone will buy it. We'll see...

Here's a few other goodies I found on Sunday...,

Some fun framed art pieces......Seven wonderful green-blue old bottles and a sweet patriotic wood plaque.

Is this FUN or WHAT????

If anyone has information on this Firestone mangle for me --I'd love to hear it! Any memories from your childhood???