Fig. 3.—Blanking the Steel Tops

Fig. 4.—Drawing the Blanks into the Perfectly Shaped Tops

Mica, which so many people know as isinglass, is one of the most important materials in the manufacture of the standard electric iron. The highest grade mica comes from India and the open box in the picture shows thin, transparent pieces just tumbled out ([Fig. 5]). At the edge of the table is a stack of mica strips known as cores. Hanging over the top of the board are several cores on which the resistance wire has been wound, showing the V-shaped heating element.

One of the most important and yet seemingly simple parts of an electric iron is the switch plug which connects the electric light socket with the iron. The operator in [Fig. 6] is shown assembling switch plugs and is in the act of driving home a screw which holds in place the fiber bar over which the cord bends.

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Operator Holding Element BeforeStrong Light to Detect Defects inthe Mica
Fig. 5.—Showing a Box of ImportedMica
Above on the table, a stack of “cores”and several elements ready for insertion inthe iron. Notice the V shape.Inspector with Carefully Trained,Sensitive Fingers Inspecting FinishedIrons Before they are Encasedin the Carton
Fig. 7.—Electric Boudoir Set Three-poundIron
Fig. 6.—Operator Assembling SwitchPlugsStand for converting the iron into smallstove, curling tongs heater, felt bag.

A standard six-pound iron consists of seventy-nine parts and represents two hundred and ten distinct factory operations. Every part is carefully inspected before being routed to the assembling department, and after being fully assembled the irons are placed on a traveling table where each is examined in its turn by an inspector with carefully trained fingers, sensitive as those of a miller who tells the quality of flour by pinching it between his thumb and forefinger. This inspector can quickly detect in the handsome finish a defect that is unnoticeable to the average person.