Skip to main content

Please be advised: this website contains the names, images and voices of people who are now deceased.

Collections WA has a responsibility to preserve and make accessible the history and culture of Western Australia in all its various forms. The intention of Collections WA is to support research, and to reveal actions of the past that have impacted upon communities, families, and individuals.

In doing so, Collections WA acknowledges the need to respond sensitively and appropriately in cases when accessing this material may be confronting to Aboriginal visitors and clients.

Please also note: Some historical materials within this portal may include language or opinions that today are considered inappropriate or even offensive. Collections WA does not endorse this language and apologises for any distress caused.

Continue
Continue showing cultural advice
Stop showing cultural advice
CWA Logo Collections WA brings together collections from libraries, galleries, museums, archives, historical societies, cultural organisations, community groups and other collecting organisations across Western Australia.

PETROL IRON

c. 1900 - 1950
Subcollections
Overview

Petrol operated Iron with a decorative metal and wooden handle.
The handle is attached to the base by 2 metal screws.
The base is made from cast iron with 18 vent holes.
On each side there is a metal globe shaped container with a small curved metal hose where the petrol was held.
There is a small metal pipe with a screw attached, possibly for control of flow.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-37-2001.255
Material
Width
190 mm
Height or length
70 mm
Contextual Information

Gas pressure irons were manufactured as early as 1900 and were an improvement over earlier irons that had to be heated on the stove or heated by charcoal.
The types of fuel used included petrol, alcohol, methylated spirits and kerosene. The pump was used to build up pressure in the fuel tank. Then a match was lit underneath to make a flame inside the iron. They were lighter in weight and their temperature was more even, but they made ironing a potentially dangerous activity.
In 1938, Irene Hanna French (aged 30) of Irishtown, near Toodyay, was killed by an exploding petrol iron she was using in the kitchen of her home.

Year
c. 1900 - 1950
Primary significance criteria
Historic significance
Shire of Toodyay

Shire of Toodyay

Organisation Details
View Collection
Item Feedback

Petrol iron
Petrol iron

Scan this QR code to open this page on your phone ->

Full size unavailable (you're already seeing this image in its highest resolution available on Collections WA)
Loading...