Today, all grandmothers in the closet can find this rarity, even if the children or grandchildren have already presented a modern steam room with a ceramic or Teflon coating. Why are they keeping it? Probably, for the same reason that they keep a samovar in the presence of an electric kettle, they continue to collect plastic bags and waste paper - a habit of youth, echoes of the times of shortage.
Soviet iron - origin story
Mass production in the USSR began back in 1948. Yes, yes, it was already a real electric copy, although a little primitive. It did not have a temperature regulator, it was necessary to intuitively wait for the heating time, then turn it off, iron it and turn it on again. A little inconvenient, but still easier than cast iron, which had to be heated on coals or in a furnace. You will probably be surprised, but even steam irons were produced in the Soviet Union. They cost 10 rubles at that time. The amount was considered fabulous, but the fact itself is interesting that such a wildly comfortable thingwas.
Evolution
As previously mentioned, the iron without a temperature controller was the first to appear. In 1960, they began to produce the same ones, but with a detachable cord so that it would not interfere with ironing after disconnecting from the mains - a small, but progress. Belarus produced this model.
In the 70s of the last century, they began to produce copies with a drum that allowed you to adjust the heating temperature of the sole, which made the ironing process much more convenient. And here is the very moment: in 1976, the first Soviet iron with a steam heater was released, which weighed about two kg. The evolution of this useful household item and its varieties can be seen with your own eyes at the Iron Museum in the Yaroslavl region, in the town of Pereslavl-Zalessky.
A little about weight
Do you think the iron was heavy because it was not possible to make it from a lighter material? An no. He weighed from one and a half kg for practical purposes, so that you did not have to put pressure on him while ironing dense fabrics, which greatly simplified the process itself.
Repair
Why irons have survived to this day, and in working order? Yes, because they were made according to GOSTs. According to reviews of Soviet irons, when the models were released, little things were not thought out for more comfortable use, but durability was clearly laid down. Yes, if it did break, it was fixed cheaply and quickly. I didn't have to buy a new iron. Still, we are talking about times of shortage, and therefore things were treated more carefully. Notwere in a hurry to throw it away: first to the workshop, and only then … Therefore, repairs and the Soviet iron were inseparable from each other.
Curiosities
Despite the fact that there was already an electric model, the production of cast iron iron, which had to be heated on fire or coals, continued. And all because not all houses had electricity yet. He had to be kept in the oven for about half an hour beforehand, and he weighed more than three kg. Cast iron iron took a long time to heat up, but cooled down rather slowly. Usually 2 pieces were used at once: while one was ironing clothes, the second was heated and vice versa. Thus, the ironing process was accelerated many times.
Modern life of the Soviet iron
As soon as this household item is not used today. As a microwave oven, this is the most common way. If you turn on your imagination and make a little effort, you can make wonderful, original and even unique decoration elements for your home, garden or garden. For example, a cup holder for pens and pencils, a table lamp or a lantern. Below is a photo of a Soviet iron that has survived renovation.
A little humor to end
There are a lot of tales about the features of the Soviet iron, including anecdotal ones. Like the one below.
There were no customers at our service station all day. Well, what was left for our hard workers to do: who plays cards, who drinks beer and poisons all sorts of stories about women. One Volodya was dragged from homebroken iron and hope for its repair. And so, during the entire shift, he collected it, disassembled it, soldered it, turned it on, turned it off, in general, the person was tormented. At the end of the shift, his joyful cry is heard: “It worked !!!” The others, grinning, pat him on the shoulder in respect. In general, everything is in order: the iron is working, Volodya exhaled … Then he pulls out the cord of the still hot iron and throws it into a simple plastic bag. The bottom of the bag naturally melts, the iron falls on the concrete floor of the workshop and shatters. Silence. And then Volodya utters a "historical" phrase: "Well, again, I got a bag full of holes!"
Here he was - the Soviet iron.
