Trade Card for Mrs. Potts' Cold Handle Sad Iron, Enterprise Manufacturing Co., 1876-1880
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In the 1870s, Mary Florence Potts made ironing easier. Conventional single-piece, cast iron flatirons were heated on stoves -- and the handle got hot! Mrs. Potts invented and patented a detachable wood handle that stayed cool and could be switched between her irons. The irons also featured two pointed ends that allowed users to work in either direction. Mrs. Potts' irons remained popular into the 20th century.
In the 1870s, Mary Florence Potts made ironing easier. Conventional single-piece, cast iron flatirons were heated on stoves -- and the handle got hot! Mrs. Potts invented and patented a detachable wood handle that stayed cool and could be switched between her irons. The irons also featured two pointed ends that allowed users to work in either direction. Mrs. Potts' irons remained popular into the 20th century.
Artifact
Trade card
Date Made
1876-1880
Subject Date
1876-1880
Creators
The Enterprise Manufacturing Company of Pa
S.W. Cor. American & Dauphinsts
Place of Creation
Collection Title
On Exhibit
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Object ID
89.0.541.658
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Paper (Fiber product)
Technique
Printing (Process)
Color
Black-and-white (Colors)
Dimensions
Height: 3.25 in
Width: 5.25 in
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