Flat irons used to be cumbersome
People used to get burned regularly from a flat iron, or sad iron, heated on a stovetop.
Other methods to flatten out cloth with a hot surface existed first, such as smoothing stones or hot charcoal in metal pans. But flat irons became the popular method around the 1500s.
The stovetop irons we think of were originally forged by Blacksmiths to sell to aristocrats in the Middle Ages. Since these were heated over flame, handles would heat with the iron, soot and grime were commonly rubbed into garments, and they would cool down too quickly. Flat irons functioned similarly until the late 1800s.
Mary Florence Potts designed a detachable wooden handle to reduce burn risks. A decade later, electric irons were invented by Henry W. Seeley. Electric appliances were often dangerous and Henry's design didn't allow for any control of heat, so it didn't sell well. Electric steam irons became popular in the 1940s after thermostatically controlled irons were developed by Joseph Myers.
The impact of these advancements went beyond wrinkle-free clothing. It freed up hours of tedious work and lowered the chances of getting burned. Most importantly, it's a testament to how far people have come in understanding electronics and valuing appliance safety.
