The greatest advance in the domestic electric iron came in the mid-1930s with the introduction of thermostatic heat control. An adjustable-temperature iron had first been made by the Silex Co. in the USA in 1927 and an American Universal automatic iron was sold in Britain a year later. The first British thermostat iron was the elegant, streamlined HMV of 1935. Although this design, with its single-piece porcelain shell, was unique, it was the first departure from the traditional iron shape and it created a new direction in electric iron design. Within a couple of years, modern, streamlined thermostat irons had appeared from Prilect, Hotpoint, Premier, Creda and, most famously, Morphy-Richards.

Thermostats took all the time-consuming guesswork out of ironing and gave the electric iron absolute superiority over its rivals. The user could now preset on a dial the exact temperature for the fabric and concentrate on continuous ironing, confident that the correct heat was being maintained for a good finish, without the risk of burning. A heat-sensitive electric contact, or bimetallic strip, cut the supply as soon as a chosen temperature was reached and as the iron cooled, the current was resumed. Automatic heat control also made ironing the new synthetic fabrics (rayon and nylon) safer. In the meantime, a compromise for some, conventional, non-automatic irons was a calibrated temperature gauge or 'calorimeter'. This indicated to the user when to disconnect and reconnect to the power socket.

By 1939, the most advanced electric irons featured lighter metals for the sole-plate and cowl and a greater use of plastics. Large, comfortable, moulded Bakelite handles replaced the simple, turned wood handles and the use of a thermostat meant that the flex could be permanently connected, making the iron safer. The idea of a heating-on light was continued by one manufacturer, except that now, the light automatically turned off, indicating that the desired heat had been reached. Irons became lighter still during the early-1950s when it was proved that heat alone could produce the desired results. Thin, aluminium sole-plates, with fast-heating built-in elements, replaced chrome-plated steel and, in turn, reduced the time taken to iron a garment. The average, pre-1939 iron might be 5 pounds in weight; its post-1950 descendant would be half this weight.

As steam irons became more familiar in the 1960s, thermostat irons were re-packaged as lightweight 'dry' irons, with new, ultra-slim profiles made possible by the fast-heating, built-in element. This visually distinguished them from larger steam irons.

• 1935 HMV
• 1936 Morphy-Richards Safety PA75
• 1936 Morphy-Richards Safety CA75
• 1937 Hotpoint Plus 5
• 1938 Creda Halo
• 1938 GEC Brides
• 1939 Premier Eight-O-Eight
• 1944 Swan
• 1945 Rockman Major
• 1946 General Mills
• 1946 Goblin
• 1946 Yale
• 1948 HMV IC5
• 1948 Morphy-Richards Safety CA75
• 1949 Premier Sylph
• 1949 Singer
• 1951 Morphy-Richards Atlantic
• 1954 GEC D5815
• 1962 Hoover
• 1970 Rowenta BA02

1935 HMV Controlled Heat model 1 UK Hayes First British thermostat iron, first to break with traditional iron shape: radically new in 1935 - also extremely elegant, functional and ergonomic. Designed by Christian Barman. Single piece porcelain body including handle, vitreous enamelled primrose, with chrome-plated cast iron base and black phenol plastic access cover and thermostat dial in rear of handle. Simple indication marks moulded into dial. A tour de force in 20th century product design. Sadly high mortality rate: usually smashed on dropping, hence joined by model 2 in 1939 with primrose vitreous enamel cast iron cowl and black plastic handle. Launched early 1936, cost £1/15/-. Click here for the 1935 launch brochure, full-colour plus silver.
1936 Morphy-Richards Safety model PA75 UK St Mary Cray Original version of popular Morphy-Richards iron with vitreous-enamel porcelain cowl in promrose yellow, pastel green or blue; hence 'P' in model name. Design and use of porcelain influenced by pioneer HMV model 1, only other known UK porcelain iron (1935). Near-identical to model CA75 but with softer lines and no chrome-plate steel strip below handle. Replaced by version of CA75 with vitreous-enamel pressed steel cowl in same colours c.1950 due to fragility of porcelain. Registered design number 827,388, early 1938. Production started 1936 (source: Morphy-Richards). Click here for a 1951 colour advert. Click here for an exploded diagram. Click here for a cut-away diagram.
1936 Morphy-Richards Safety model CA75 UK St Mary Cray Very popular iron and second Morphy-Richards product; linked name with irons (sole-plate shape became MR logo). Streamlined design influenced by US irons. Produced from 1936 in large quantities (production of 1,000/day by 1939), total of c30M made. Popularity attributed to low price, good finish and safety light. Pressed steel cowl with chromium-plate finish. Black phenol plastic handle, integral flex, green 'heating on' safety light. Later versions known as 'Senior'. Patent number 705,918, applied for 1951.
1937 Hotpoint Plus 5 UK Rugby First Hotpoint thermostatic iron, US design and patents (1937). Produced 1937-c1960 (featured in report in Design, late-50s). Large and dramatic streamlined design with patented swivelling flex support. Chromium-plated steel cowl, black phenol plastic handle with art deco detailing, alloy sole plate, large dial with fabrics indicated and black phenol plastic arrow selector. Click here for a general Hotpoint ad from 1939 showing this model.
1938 Creda Halo UK Birmingham One of the pioneer automatic irons in the UK and one of the most elegant, featuring patented 'headlamp' and glowing halo-like surround in handle. Dual function of illuminating ironing (ideal in WWII black-out) and indicating power on; lights up as soon as iron is plugged in, i.e. not linked to thermostat as with Morphy Richards iron. Dramatic handle profile, swept up at the back and echoed in thermostat dial, both in black phenol plastic. Standard chrome-plated steel cowl and cast iron sole plate. Patent date 1938, produced from 1939. Not listed in April 1954 Electrical Review list of irons, but in Reigate suppliers catalogue, 1954.
c1938 GEC Brides model D5850 UK London Standard GEC thermostat iron, very similar to GEC model D5805. Almost certainly designed by Douglas Scott et al in US industrial designer Raymond Loewy's London office (as other late-30s GEC appliances). Produced c1938-c1962. Later versions known as 'Brides' model. Alloy sole plate, chromium-plated steel cowl (coloured vitreous enamel finishes available), black phenol plastic, integral flex. For a colour advert from 1955, click here.
1939 Premier Eight-O-Eight model 808 UK Birmingham Second Premier themostat iron, produced 1939-c1955. Later version called 909 with slight detail modificatons. Dramatic streamlined design with ideas borrowed from 30s USA car styling, such as cast alloy visor/grille with orange lamp behind. Curvaceous black phenol plastic handle with early example of left/right handed connection option. Chrome plated steel cowl and iron sole plate. Weight 5lbs. Registered design numbers 832, 490 (1939) and 836, 637. Click here for an entry in the 1950s Premier leaflet.
1944 Swan model 1100 UK Birminghan Unusual flat design of thermostat iron with safety light (orange or green) as heat selection dial inside black phenol plastic handle. Produced 1945c (patent application date 1944)-c1954. Later sold under the name 'Easipower'. Alloy sole plate, chrome-plated steel cowl (coloured vitreous enamel finishes available), integral flex. Design registration numbers: 842,102/3, 842,708 (1944).
c1945 Rockman Major UK Rare post-war thermostat iron clearly influenced by Creda Halo with headlamp dominating front of handle.. Visually less refined than the Creda with inelegant black phenol plastic handle, poorly moulded and larger headlamp with clear acrylic cover. Large chrome-plated cowl and interesting oval shape sole-plate. Aluminium cover for wiring at rear with three louvres.
1946 General Mills Tru-Heat USA Minneapolis Stylish and innovative streamlined thermostat US iron with steam attachment. Part of 7-product line-up from flour/food manufacturer. All discontinued by 1954. Number of unique design features: fingertip heat control in handle; iron rests on its side on small projecting 'wings'; sole plate tapers for backwards ironing; slim handle for 'Full-Vue' ironing; variable drip-feed steam attachment sole plate (1948). Chrome-plated steel cowl and sole plate, cast alloy steam sole plate, black phenol plastic handle. Chrome V-shaped front panel with Art Deco graphics - remeniscent of 1930s/1940s US locomotive design. Very popular in US, though only iron made by GM. Not available in UK. Click here to see the iron with steam attachment. Click here for a features diagrams from the instructions booklet.
1946 Goblin model 251 UK Leatherhead Only Goblin iron, produced 1946-c1954 - though possibly a pre-war design. Alloy sole plate, cream vitreous enamel on pressed steel cowl. Contoured black phenol plastic handle, resulting in elegant and pleasing overall design. Integral flex, unique double 'safety' light at back of handle. Rare. Appears in Goblin advert in Modern Homes , Odhams 1947.
1946 Yale Tip-Toe USA Buffalo Among the most stunning and extravagent electric iron designs, embodying a number of innovative features. Hinged front section of sole plate allowing user to iron small areas. Cord entry on top of handle swivels from left to right. Thermostat dial set into inside base of handle. Dramatic, exaggerated, streamlined black phenol plastic handle, richly detailed, two-part chrome-plated cowl with vent slots, aluminium sole plates. Produced by Yale and Towne, the lock manufacturers, although probably manufactured by the Bersted Manufacturing company. Not available in the UK. Click here for a colour advertisement.
1948 HMV model IC5 UK Hayes Successor to original 1930s HMV irons (model 1 and 2). Well-made with elegant, flowing lines, (possibly designed by Christian Barman as model 1 and other HMV appliances), but conventional materials: primrose vitreous- enamelled steel cowl, chromium-plated sole plate, full-width black phenol plastic handle with visible heat-on bulb. 5lb IC5 with dial in handle, 6lb IC6 with dial at rear of handle (as models 1 and 2). Joined by standard IC10 c1952. 'IC' = 'iron, controlled heat'.
c1948 Morphy-Richards Safety model CA75 UK St Mary Cray Later version of original 1936 model with pressed steel cowl with vitreous enamel in range of pastel colours: pale blue, primrose and pale green - also, later, red, orange, turquoise, cream, etc. Black phenol plastic handle, integral flex, green 'heating on' safety light. Later versions known as 'Senior'. Patent number 705,918, applied for 1951.
1949 Premier Sylph model 861 UK Birmingham Third generation Premier thermostat iron, one of the earliest examples with a lightweight alloy sole plate with integral heating element. Chromium-plated steel cowl. Weight only 2lbs, hence name. Black phenol plastic handle, integral flex, orange 'safety' light behind chromium-plated pressed steel visor in front of handle, similar to model 808/909. Registered design number 861,235 (1949). Click here for an entry in the 1950s Premier leaflet.
1949 Singer model 89 UK Made by the sewing machine manufacturer. Cream vitreous-enamelled steel cowl (chromium-plated option), cast-aluminium sole plate, full-width black phenol plastic handle with illuminated 'S' emblem on front and dramatic fin at back (for stand). Replaced c1958 by more rakish design. Registered design number 860,694 (1949).
1951 Morphy-Richards Atlantic model LA75 UK St Mary Cray Lightweight iron, strong US influence in design, hence name. Alloy sole plate with with cast-in integral element, blue vitreous enamelled cowl (other colours and chromium-plated versions available), integral and highly sculptured black phenol plastic handle with reverse-rake front and thumb-tab 'fins'. Sold as 'the iron with the butterfly touch'. 'L' in model number probably means 'lightweight', 'A' is AC only. Also model LU75, 'U' - universal, AC or DC.
1954 GEC model D5815 UK London Standard mid/late-50s iron, cowl and soleplate from GEC D5850, primrose vitreous enamel on steel cowl, (chromium-plated version available), full-width, integral black phenol plastic handle and heat selection dial, turquoise safety light. Variety of weights available from 3-5lbs.
1962 Hoover model 4354 UK Pervale First UK Hoover dry iron, introduced to complement revised steam iron 1962 model 4554. Illustrated and featured in 1963 Hoover home management book. Lightweight, though large sole plate and substantial design - also elegant, sculptural and ergonomic. European-style open handle front. Chrome-plated steel cowl, alloy sole plate with embedded 1000-watt element, black phenol plastic handle, also available in light blue and cream. Smaller dial than model 0114 'pancake' dial, using new standard temperature symbols. Click here for 1960s promotional image.
c1970 Rowenta model BA02 Germany Final development of non-steam thermostat iron. Ultra-slim sole-plate/cowl, open front black phenol plastic handle with ivory inserts. Heat-selection dial and red safety light in tip of handle.