Easy Automatic Ironer

[mslibra]

I recently became the proud owner of a vintage Easy brand Automatic (mangle, rotating) ironer. It is in remarkable shape and works very well other than getting very hot! I think the temp controls need some work but unfortunately there was no manual that came with it and I'd rather not just start taking things apart. I have searched on-line but the only info I have been able to find are the newspaper advertisements from 1933 & 1939.

Any help would be appreciated,

Thanks

Shawn

 

[launderess]

I'll Do It, But I'll Probably Hate Myself In The Mor

Ironers of that vintage were designed to get "hot", hence the 1500+ watts of electrical power required. Otherwise you'd be sending through heavy damp items over and over to get them ironed dry.

 

[rp2813]

Why not try running a table cloth through it per these instructions and see how it goes?

 

[thor]

$ 149.95

How much would $ 149.95 from the mid 30's be in today's dollars?

 

[launderess]

In United States Dollars

$2,505.58

The average income for an American household in 1939 was $1,730.00, down about $200 from the start of the 1930's.

Major appliances such as washing machines, ironers, etc were expensive in relation to the average wages in much of the world until rather recently. This is why they are refered to by economists as "durable goods" because they did cost allot and were meant to last ten or more years.

One could purchase major appliances via credit terms in the 1930's but sales would take off as credit/charge cards took hold allowing more persons to "buy now and pay later".

You also have to consider appliances then were in general well made from mostly metal parts. Costs would largely depend then as now on raw material prices including steel. Today the quality and or method of construction has gone down but machines cost less. Plastic has replaced many metal parts and so forth.

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[thor]

Thanks Launderess, I imagined it would be a large sum, but not that high! I think in those times a mangel would be an appliance you purchased after first owning a good stove, a refrigerator and a washer, so only a few households could afford one at the time.