Object Details
maker
American Electrical Heater Co.
Description
Model 79AB, 1000W, 110-120V (AC only) clothes or laundry iron for domestic use. Chrome-plated, streamlined body has a forward-leaning, black Bakelite handle with red Lucite grip; handle front is set back from the pointed toe, while spurred back doubles as a heel rest. Thermostat control (fabric selector dial) and encased thermometer are below handle; both black with white markings. Brown, red, and yellow cloth-covered cord with 2-prong, bell-shape, brown plastic plug attached at back right of handle; black rubber tubing at attachment. No box.
Thermometer and handle back both marked "American / Beauty." Identification plate on heel underside stamped: "AMERICAN BEAUTY / CA. NO. 79AB. VOLTS 110-120 WATTS1000 / A.C. ONLY / AMERICAN ELECTRICAL HEATER CO. / DETROIT, U.S.A. / PAT. NO’S. / DES.121163 / ” 121164 / RE.22048 / 1916671 / PAT. NO’S. / 2256147 / 2270316 / 2300230 / 2328152 / TO REMOVE / CONTROL LEVER OR TERM. BOX COVER / PRY OFF / 8412".
U.S. Design Patents:
- 121163, June 25, 1940, Frank Kuhn, Grosse Pointe Farms, and Laurence H. Thomas, assignors to American Electrical Heater Company, Detroit, Michigan, for “a laundry iron”
- 121164, June 25, 1940, Frank Kuhn, Grosse Pointe Farms, and Laurence H. Thomas, assignors to American Electrical Heater Company, Detroit, Michigan, for “a handle for laundry iron or the like”
- RE.22048, March 10, 1942, Frank Kuhn, Grosse Pointe Farms, and Laurence H. Thomas, assignors to American Electrical Heater Company, Detroit, Michigan, for “Electric iron”
U.S. Mechanical Patents:
- 1916671, July 4, 1933, Charles A. Hanser, Erwin A. Lockwood, assignors to American Electrical Heater Company, Detroit, Michigan, for “Thermostat”
- 2256147, Sept. 16, 1941, Frank Kuhn, Grosse Pointe Farms, and Laurence H. Thomas, assignors to American Electrical Heater Company, Detroit, Michigan, for “Handle”
- 2270316, Jan. 20, 1942, Frank Kuhn, Grosse Pointe Farms, and Laurence H. Thomas, assignors to American Electrical Heater Company, Detroit, Michigan, for "finish for working of laundry irons and the like" (sole plate)
- 2300230, Oct. 27, 1942, Frank Kuhn and Laurence H. Thomas, assignors to American Electrical Heater Company, Detroit, Michigan, for “Thermometer unit for electric irons”
- 2328152, Aug. 31, 1943, Frank Kuhn and Laurence H. Thomas, assignors to American Electrical Heater Company, Detroit, Michigan, for "Thermostatic unit and connections for electric irons"
Date made per phone conversation with manufacturer (in 1988).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1947 - 1956
ID Number
1987.0673.1
accession number
1987.0673
catalog number
1987.0673.01
Object Name
flatiron, electric
Physical Description
steel, chrome-plated (body material)
steel, stainless (sole material)
plastic (Bakelite) (handle; thermostat knob material)
plastic (Lucite) (handle center; thermometer cover material)
rubber (cord material)
cloth (cord material)
Measurements
overall: 4 7/8 in x 4 5/8 in x 9 1/4 in; 12.3825 cm x 11.7475 cm x 23.495 cm
place made
United States: Michigan, Detroit
See more items in
Home and Community Life: Domestic Life
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Subject
Household Tools and Equipment
Laundry
Patented
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_324248