14th century AD: Medieval European groups begin using triangular metal plates called flatirons to press clothes. (1 Jan 1300 Jahr – 1 Jan 1400 Jahr)

Beschreibung:

In the 1300s, a type of clothes iron, made of a triangular iron plate, joined to a metal handle, appeared on the European continent under the name of a 'flatiron'. These widely popular devices were held by a protective piece of fabric, and heated up over a fire. Once sufficiently hot, they were removed from over top of the fire, and pressed onto the clothing or fabric to remove the wrinkles. The heat also killed germs and mildew, improving hygienic conditions in the household, and the overall living standard, though soot from the fire often dirtied the iron, and in turn, dirtied many of the people's clothes.