Ironing Board 175


Ironing Board


Even the early Vikings could appreciate wrinkle free clothing and the early ironing board, made from whalebone, was for just that. Along with their improvised ironing boards, the Vikings also heated rocks to smooth out their clothing. For hundreds of years after that, people still created makeshift ironing boards before contemporary versions started to arise.

The first patent for an ironing board was filed in 1858 and nearly 40 years later, in 1892, Sarah Boone filed a patent for a new and improved ironing board. Along with being narrower, Boone's ironing board also incorporated a curved shape that allowed for easier shirtsleeve ironing.

Improvements in ironing boards, naturally, followed the development of the iron. Modern ironing boards are now very common and not thought of as the groundbreaking improvements they were in earlier days.

Next time you're pressing a shirt; don't forget the history of the ironing board. To learn more about the ironing board, read the articles below.

Articles

Ironing Board Styles

Conventional ironing boards, while necessary, can be quite unwieldy. Shuffling such a large device in and out of a closet can be as much a job as ironing itself. Over the years, many alternative designs have improved upon traditional styles.

Who Invented The Ironing Board?

One might think the history of the ironing board would be straightforward and without controversy. As is true with most of humanities endeavors, the history of ironing boards has its share of controversy.