Minneapolis Institute of Art

K-M Flatwork Ironer

Designer: W. E. Gundelfinger; Manufacturer: Knapp-Monarch Company

Date

1939

Medium

Chrome and Bakelite

Department

Arts of the Americas

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

One could argue that Stevens’ Petipoint was the racecar of the ironing world at the time, with its streamlined wings on either side. They actually facilitated air-cooling, keeping the user’s hand and the thermostat area cool. The upswept back portion of the iron is the “petit point” for detailing ruffles and pleats. Knapp-Monarch advertised that its Flatwork Ironer, specially designed for flat linens like sheets and tablecloths, would “cut flatwork ironing time by ⅓.” Its round shape allowed it to move in any direction and it had versatile settings for linen, cotton, wool, silk, and artificial silk. The irony (pun intended) here is that although these appliances performed very well, they often increased the amount of in-home ironing done by housewives, who earlier would have sent linens out for pressing. United States, Americas

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