After 1920 electric irons became more refined with lighter, pressed steel cowls, better-integrated components and greater consideration for the user. The resistance element (which generated the heat) was sandwiched between two thin mica panels. This was then placed between a cast-iron sole-plate (nickel-plated on the outside) and an internal cast-iron 'slug'. Varying weights from 3 to 8 pounds could be offered by a manufacturer for any one model, controlled by the weight of the internal slug. The element and slug were covered with a metal cowl which was either nickel-plated or vitreous-enamelled in a variety of colours (primrose, cream, green, mottled grey were the most popular). Connection to the mains was via two pins at the heel of the iron with a ceramic or 'Vulcanite' (sulphurised rubber) connector which could be removed and replaced to maintain the correct heat.

This standard continued for the next twenty years with only subtle variations to distinguish each brand. As irons became more common, so manufacturers made a more conscious effort to differentiate their product from the competition. A thumb pad was often added to the handle or a heating-on light built into the connector. Irons of this initial phase of development were still available in the early 1950s, although some designs of the late-1930s had streamlined cowls and moulded Bakelite handles.

1919 Siemens Xcel
1925 Carron
1925 Sunbeam
1928 David
1929 Marks & Spencer Marspen
1929 Premier Smoothwell 805
1932 Hotpoint 515
1932 Premier Laundwell
1934 Pifco Bijou
1935 Hotpoint Circle H
1935 Pyramid P301
1936 GEC Streamline
1937 GEC D5801
1937 Premier Jewel
1938 GEC D5805
1938 Prilect Junior
1945 Prilect
1952 Premier Smoothwell 814

40s GEC appliances). Chromium- plated steel cowl, cast iron rounded sole plate, substantial black phenol plastic handle incorporating stand and flex connection. Registered design 848,429 (1946).

c1938

Prilect Junior

UK

Interesting late non-auto streamlined design. Thermostat version introduced 1940 (Electrical Review). Cast alloy sole plate with separate cast iron insert, additional cast iron slug, nickel-plated cowl with steeply-angled connector shroud. Curvaceous, mottled-brown phenol plastic handle with steel stand at the back.

c1945

Prilect

UK

Interesting late non-auto streamlined design based on earlier Junior model. small size compared to other standard irons, about three-quarter size. Modern looks deceptive - iron is heavy and low quality, also electrically dubious. Dramatic swooping streamlined black phenol plastic handle, remeniscent of Goblin iron, but cruder finish and less comfortable grip. 450 watts.
Click here to see the iron in profile.

1952

Premier Smoothwell model 814

UK Birmingham

Replacement for 1929 Smoothwell and probably one of the last non-automatic designs. Super-Smoothwell replaced by multi-heat thermostat model c.1948. Compact design, chromium-plated steel cowl and almost triangular sole-plate. Half black phenol plastic handle with thumb tabs, plus steel front support. Wired-in black utility rubber flex. Weight 4.75lbs. Design registration number 869,399 (1952).

Click here for an entry in the 1950s Premier leaflet.

1919 Siemens Xcel UK Liverpool First product in Xcel range. Solid, well-proportioned and comfortable. Nickel-plated pressed steel cowl; nickel-plated cast iron sole plate; black, large-diameter wooden handle; black thumb tab; black enamel on ceramic/steel connector. Replaced by thermostatic control model late-1930s. Design registration number 668,282 (1919), patent number 130,555 (1919) protects wooden handle mounting to U-shape steel frame with notches to prevent twisting in use. 1922 model with red thumb tab and black vulcanite connector. Other minor detail differences.
c1925 Carron model 844 Scotland Produced by Carron foundry in Falkirk, Scotland. Nickel on steel cowl, cast iron sole plate, black wooden handle, black phenol plastic thumb tab, circular badge on connector cowl. Slightly smaller than standard domestic irons.
1925 Sunbeam model S2 USA Chicago Probably the first Sunbeam iron. Very compact design due to full-width element, otherwise conventional; nickel on steel cowl, cast iron sole plate, dark red wooden handle. Black brittle vulcanite connector bearing 'The Iron of Irons'. No rear stand but trivet supplied. Packaged in 'fire-proof' mottled green enamelled steel case with opening front and top lid.
1928 David UK Probably David. Utility model; grey mottled vitreous enamel on steel cowl, cast iron sole plate, black steeply raked wooden handle, black phenol plastic thumb tab. David entry in Electrical Review 1928.
1929 Marks & Spencer Marspen UK Distinctive design, one of three irons made by Marks and Spencer (electric, gas and sad irons). Primrose vitreous enamel on steel cowl, cast iron sole plate, large sculptured wooden handle, wire stand, no connector shroud. Illustrated in 'Art and Industry' by Herbert Read (Faber, 1934) as an example of clean, functional, modern design.
1929 Premier Smoothwell model 805 UK Birmingham Standard Premier iron (with cheaper 'Laundwell'), replaced by model 814, 1952. Range of weights available from 2lb (model 802) upwards. Similar design to pre-1929 Premier irons. Nickel-plated cowl, sole-plate and flex guard. Red phenol plastic thumb pad. 'Premier System' on name plate. Optional connector with 'Signal' power-on warning light. Three-quarter size travelling version with detachable handle. Super-Smoothwell version with rounded heel and 'Birka' regulator - thermostatic single-heat cut-out.
1932 Hotpoint model 515 UK Rugby Standard Hotpoint iron, produced 1932-c1952, possibly based on American Hotpoint design. Nickel-plated steel cowl, cast iron sole plate, black wooden handle, dark red oval phenol plastic thumb tab. Brittle Vulcanite connector with spring flex support. Click here for spread from brochure, highlighting main features.
1932 Premier Laundwell model 823 UK Birmingham Standard economy Premier iron, very similar in design to 'Smoothwell', but inferior finish. Similar design to earlier Premier irons. Range of weights available from 2lb upwards. Dull, low-quality nickel-plated cowl, sole-plate and flex guard. Red phenol plastic thumb pad. 'Premier System' on name plate. Black-enamelled turned wooden handle.
c1934 Pifco Bijou Foreign Half-size, lightweight 'lingerie' iron (1.5lb), resembling travelling iron, but 240volt only and no folding/removable parts. Crude cast iron cowl, painted leaf green, (also red, brown and chrome), green twin-cable flex and phenol plastic light socket plug. Bright red-painted turned wood handle. Ceramic connector with nickel-plated steel cover, chromium-plated cast iron sole-plate. Colourful red and yellow box with Egyptian typography and endorsement from film star, Bette Davis, including c.1934/5 photograph. Earlier version in plain yellow box. Click here for a close-up of the box.
c1935 Hotpoint Circle H UK Similar to Hotpoint model 515, but with elaborate wire stand and wire thumb tab support. Circular, red thumb tab. Click here for a general Hotpoint ad from 1939 showing this model.
1935 Pyramid model P301 UK Made by Hague and McKenzie Ltd. Distinctive design with early design of 'ergonomic' handle in brown phenol plastic to improve 'swing action' of user. Nickel on steel cowl, cast iron sole plate, wire stand. Two-heat version introduced in 1939.
1936 GEC Streamline model D5820 UK London Dramatic streamlined design with unusual, continental-style open handle, chromium-plated steel cowl, cast iron sole plate (rounded at the end), black moulded phenol plastic handle, chromium-plated flared stand. Registered design number 815,583 (1936).
1937 GEC model D5801 UK London Last 'conventional' GEC iron, produced c1937-c1952, nickel-plated steel cowl, cast iron sole plate, black phenol plastic handle (in the shape of conventional wooden handle), black phenol plastic thumb tab. Patent applied for 1937. Click here for a close-up of the box.
1937 Premier Jewel model 811 UK Birmingham Last Standard Premier iron, later, low-cost model compared to 'Smoothwell' and 'Laundwell'. Usual finish - nickel-plated cowl, sole-plate and flex guard, black phenol plastic thumb pad. Cheaper hexagonal nuts securing handle. 5lb weight. Click here for box, leaflet and iron.
c1938 GEC model D5805 UK London Modern streamlined design in the style of early thermostat irons; old technology in new shape. Popular model, produced 1946-c1960. Probably designed c1938 in US industrial designer Raymond Loewy's London office (as other late-30s/40s GEC appliances). Chromium- plated steel cowl, cast iron rounded sole plate, substantial black phenol plastic handle incorporating stand and flex connection. Registered design 848,429 (1946).
c1938 Prilect Junior UK Interesting late non-auto streamlined design. Thermostat version introduced 1940 (Electrical Review). Cast alloy sole plate with separate cast iron insert, additional cast iron slug, nickel-plated cowl with steeply-angled connector shroud. Curvaceous, mottled-brown phenol plastic handle with steel stand at the back.
c1945 Prilect UK Interesting late non-auto streamlined design based on earlier Junior model. small size compared to other standard irons, about three-quarter size. Modern looks deceptive - iron is heavy and low quality, also electrically dubious. Dramatic swooping streamlined black phenol plastic handle, remeniscent of Goblin iron, but cruder finish and less comfortable grip. 450 watts. Click here to see the iron in profile.
1952 Premier Smoothwell model 814 UK Birmingham Replacement for 1929 Smoothwell and probably one of the last non-automatic designs. Super-Smoothwell replaced by multi-heat thermostat model c.1948. Compact design, chromium-plated steel cowl and almost triangular sole-plate. Half black phenol plastic handle with thumb tabs, plus steel front support. Wired-in black utility rubber flex. Weight 4.75lbs. Design registration number 869,399 (1952). Click here for an entry in the 1950s Premier leaflet.