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Ironing works by loosening the bonds between the long-chain polymer molecules in the fibres of the material. While the molecules are hot, the fibres are straightened by the weight of the iron, and they hold their new shape as they cool. Some fabrics, such as cotton, require the addition of water to loosen the intermolecular bonds. Many modern fabrics (developed in or after the mid- twentieth century) are advertised as needing little or no ironing.
Metal pans filled with charcoal were used for smoothing fabrics in China in the 1st century BC. From the 17th century, sadirons, thick slabs of cast iron, delta-shaped and with a handle, heated in a fire, began to be used in Europe. A later design consisted of an iron box which could be filled with hot coals, which had to be periodically aerated by attaching a bellows. This type was on sale in the USA until at least 1902.
In the industrialized world, these designs have been superseded by the electric iron, which uses resistive heating from an electric current. The hot plate, called the sole plate, is no longer made of iron but of aluminium, which is lighter. The heating element is controlled by a thermostat which switches the current on and off to maintain the selected temperature.
The invention of the resistively heated electric iron is credited to Henry W. Seeley of New York in 1882. In the same year an iron heated by a carbon arc was introduced in France, but was too dangerous to be successful. The first thermostatically controlled electric iron appeared in the 1920sCenturies: 19th century 20th century 21st century Decades: 1870s 1880s 1890s 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s Years: 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 Events and trends Technology John Logie Baird invents the first working t.
In recent years, some people have invented the sport of Extreme Ironing, which consists of ironing clothing under creatively difficult circumstances.
Modern irons available for sale to consumers have some or all of the following features (more expensive models have more features, as one would expect):
Have just appeared automatic ironing robotFor the 2005 computer-animated movie see " Robots (movie) Definitions In practical usage, a robot is a mechanical device which performs automated tasks, either according to direct human supervision, a pre-defined program or, a set of general guidelines, us, like SiemensSiemens is a German family name carried by Peter von Siemens, Werner von Siemens, Wilhelm von Siemens Siemens AG is the name of a German electrical and telecommunications company, founded as a telegraph equipment manufacturer by Werner von Siemens as "Tel Dressman (see link below).