Universal York

I hate to iron clothes and I do as little of it as possible. On the other hand, I don’t like to wear wrinkled clothing, so sometimes I do break out the steam iron. I remember when people actually ironed sheets. One older neighbor fascinated me because she ironed everything, like socks. I think she even ironed towels and washcloths.
The ad below, from the June 21, 1863 People’s Advocate, brought this all to mind. As far as I’m concerned, this is another example of the good old days being vastly overrated.

SAVE LABOR, Time and Money; produces a most beautiful gloss on the linen, and has given entire satisfaction wherever it has been PROPERLY used. No Stove nor fire-place required for heating it. One cent’s worth of charcoal will keep it hot one-day’s Ironing. A person can use it without being subjected to the heat of a stove or other fire. A Tailor’s Goose is on the same principle–it will in time supercede those now in use. Persons can have the use of the Irons on trial FREE OF CHARGE.–
For sale by, JOHN DENIG, Agent.
N. Beaver St., near the M. E. Church, York, Pa.
The following persons bought, and use the Iron in their families, viz.
Rev. Robert S. Vinton,
James Devers,
C. H. Bland, Esq.,
Dr. Wm. Johnson,
A. F. Ward,
Samuel Musser,
A. B. Arnold,
O. P. Stair,
W. Buckingham,
George Wehrly,
Joseph Garretson, Esq.,
Morris Powell,
G. J. Goodridge.
York, May 31, 1863–4t.”
Nice of the gentlemen above to buy the charcoal-heated irons. It’s a safe bet wives or hired women actually wielded them.
Click links below for more on inventions.
Artificial Christmas tree
Dowdel’s bedbug-proof bedstead.
Anstine’s threshing machine.
Frey’s flying machine.
Hanover fires.
Snack vending machine