The “mystery” object in the photo: a charcoal box iron Full article

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The Older Sad Iron Required Constant Reheating

Before charcoal box irons became widely used, many households relied on solid metal irons commonly called sad irons.

The word referred to the heavy, solid construction of the tool.

A sad iron had no internal fuel chamber.

It had to be heated directly on a stove or near a fire before being continue reading …