GE Flat Plate Ironers
Ohhh yes!
GE, Hotpoint and several others sold domestic "ironer presses". Consumer Reports tested and rated the GE version in the 1950's and maybe even 1940's.
We've discussed these flat plate ironers here in the group several times in past. A member or more actually own the very thing, or similar. We have a Hurley "Press-O-Matic, which as made from the 1950's into 1960's maybe longer. The other common brand was Spartan. Also have an Elnapress from Germany.
Important thing to remember is that there is a difference between "pressing" and "ironing". These laundry presses did just that; smoothed fabric by applying pressure, while the heat dried/created steam to fix the results.
Ironing is a back and forth smoothing movement or one way in case of ironers, but also tension/smoothing is applied either from the hand not holding iron, or depending upon how a machine grips laundry as it enters the ironer.
This difference matters because depending what is being ironed results are better with pressing versus ironing, or vice versa.
Commercial laundries or presses have various parts or things that can be used to apply tension to whatever is being pressed. This smoothing things out so results are better.
http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?44198_3
You can read specs for GE's flat plate ironer and other laundry equipment here:
https://archive.org/stream/GeneralElectricCo.0005#page/n25/mode/2up
Anyway the idea behind these presses was to mimic the larger commercial laundry presses that had been in use since early part of last century.
For certain items a press is actually better than using an ironer. Woolens and things you don't want a shine (as what comes with ironing) can be "pressed" on these machines quite easily. This means jackets, trousers, skirts, and even blocking wool sweaters is rather easy.
Because these presses exert great force you can do several layers of textiles at once. Even better only have to press one or two sides (the latter really only if doing something folded into fourths).
http://www.jitterbuzz.com/other_ironers.html#geironer
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-general-electric-motorized-135480311
You can see how to "iron" with a flat plate ironer/laundry press here:
Maddening thing about using a press instead of a rotary iron is the series of "lays" required to get the job done. Obviously on a commercial press with a large buck doing big things only requires a few movements. However on the smaller domestic presses you either have to fold things to fit width of buck, or move them about in order for each section to be pressed properly.
Beauty of the GE "motorized" press is that like commercial units it was foot controlled. This left both hands free to position/smooth whatever is being pressed. However in any instance extreme care must be used to avoid hands and arms coming into contact with the hot shoe.
This is the Blanca Press which is sold in Europe. It has the largest "buck" of domestic laundry presses, and it is rectangular. This makes doing flatwork easier than say an Elnapress.
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