The Greeks had always been ahead in everything because of their love for writing. Time has been kind to them too and that has enabled their written documents and artefacts that date back as early as 2000 BCE to be somewhat preserved underground, unearthed by the world’s most renowned explorers and studied in top-of-the-line institutes. These written documents and artefacts lay the foundation and give evidence that Greeks were the first in almost everything. This simply means that their love for writing has enabled them to communicate with post-modern society -and by communication, the people of this day became aware- that Greeks were the first in Literature, Architecture, Philosophy, Medicine, and politics among others.
Of this historical evidence, it was found that Greeks too were the first to have used a tool that enabled them to ensure that their clothes and other fabrics are crease-free. Yes, the Greeks were the inventors of the earliest form of ironing that originates as early as 400 BCE.
And just as Romans had done to the Greeks, with almost everything, the Romans used and explored on this Grecian invention. The Romans used different materials as though to experiment which kind of woodblock or metal cast would be most effective and efficient in each of their fabric types when it comes to making the fabric clean and without the unwanted creases. This practice has also enabled the Romans to be better informed of their different foreign subjects that give them fealty in the form of fur, silk, cotton and other types of fabric.
Later in the years when famine and other forms of disaster in politics and foreign affairs of the Romans took place, a more practical way of giving the fabric a creaseless finish was sought out. It was the Chinese people that somewhat perfected the pragmatic practice of using a metal pan. During the Han Dynasty, most Chinese households have a metal pan. This tool was first used in cooking and later in pressing clothes too.
It was not until the 17th century that pressing clothes came to be known as ironing. During this time, iron had become the most popular material used in pressing clothes, which then came to be called as “ironing”. Soon after, iron was moulded into a box and then a handle, insulated by wood was developed. This type came to be the most widely used during the early days of ironing.
And as more inventors came to be, more efficient ways of making clothes clean and smooth were invented. In the latter days of the industrial revolution, the days when steam power and electric power were first enjoyed the early models of and electric iron came to be. It wasn’t until the 1920s that steam irons were developed. The steam iron became a common household tool in the 1940s.
Today, people all over the world enjoy the convenience of having a professional steam iron in their household and businesses. Different forms of professional steam irons were also developed a reliable steam iron, tailor-fit of each individual or business needs. These were the garment steam iron, commercial steam iron, professional steamer, and professional steam press, among others.
