Press! Press! Press!

Remember the clothesline - the best gossiper in the neighborhood? A lot could be learned from the backyard clothesline...like the days when it sagged from its heaviness announcing "Company's here!", the signs of growth as children aged or the announcement of a new birth. Then, of course, would be Papa and Mama, no modesty here whatsoever! Daddy needs a new pair of long johns," the clothes line would shout! As for Mama, the clothes line had no mercy. No, sir! Panties, bras, petticoats, you name it, all swayed unblushingly for anyone who happened by to scrutinize.

It is what follows the clothesline that is the topic of today's discussion. Once every last drop of moisture was sucked up into the clouds each article was carefully removed but for the most part, not ready to wear! Air-dried meant rough-dried! No one wanted to walk out the door looking like he or she just came out of a drawer, thus, the word of the day was Press! Press! Press!

This Day in History: February 16, 1958

Back in the day before the clothesline, items were draped over bushes or rocks to dry. As far back as 2000 years, hot metal pans filled with hot coals were used to press fabrics. Responsibility for the ironing board design as we know today came about from many different creators. For purposes of today's history,

1958 The first ironing board was patented by William Vandenburg and James Harvey.

The next in line after gathering the clothes from the clothesline would be sorting the items for ironing purposes. Even as far back as the Vikings is record of their own ironing board made from whalebone. Later, ironing boards were no more than simply 'boards' on a table, such as the kitchen table, or balanced between two chairs with a blanket covering for protection. This, of course, was way before the mass-market folding ironing board. These came about as inventors worked toward finding better ways to manage a household. All of this took place during the time when women did not work outside the home.

Ironing today is not limited to just fabrics...