New Smoothing Iron

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Henry Benton, of Fairfield, Conn,, has taken measures to secure a patent lor the above, which he denominates a double-faced self-heated smoothing iron. It is composed of a hollow iron box of any required shape, having the top and bottom, which are made purposely heavy to retain the heat for a longer period, adjustable or rather revolving on a shaft that runs through the centre, and from which is suspended a fluid lamp, by which the smoothing iron is heated. By this method, while the smoothing iron in use is cooling, the other, which is exposed to the flame of the fluid lamp, is becoming hot, and as soon as required the position of the smoothing irons can be reversed, and thus be used alternately. The handle is of wood and supports the ends of the shaft just reentioned, which passes through the centre, the handle and smoothing iron being kept fast in their proper position by a spring catch, which is forced back by the thumb when the smoothing irons are required to be changed. The iron box is perforated to admit air to the inside, and the lamp may be made to swing loose or kept stationary by the rod which serves as a shaft.

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