Collection
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Decorative Arts and Design

"Silver Streak" Iron

Saunders Machine & Tool Corporation; Corning Glass Works

1 of 4

Object Label

Although Pyrex glass, able to resist high levels of heat, had been invented as long ago as 1915, the Silver Streak iron put it to a new use. Metal shortages during World War II led to experiments not only with new materials, but also with new uses of old materials. Pyrex seemed the perfect replacement for metal in a household iron. Moreover, moldable glass allowed the handle of the Silver Streak to conform to the user’s hand, illustrating again the interest in ergonomics—the study of the way things work with the body—among designers of this time. Unfortunately, although Pyrex stood up well to heat, the bright colors inside did not, and the Silver Streak was not produced for very long.

Caption

Saunders Machine & Tool Corporation (Yonkers, New York, ca. 1858–1946); Corning Glass Works (Corning, New York, founded 1851). "Silver Streak" Iron, Designed 1943. Pyrex glass, chromium-plated cast iron, aluminium. plastic, textile, 5 1/2 x 9 1/4 x 3 7/8 in. (14.0 x 23.5 x 9.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Donald F. Wilkes, 1992.167. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Title

"Silver Streak" Iron

Date

Designed 1943

Geography

Place manufactured: Yonkers, New York, United States

Medium

Pyrex glass, chromium-plated cast iron, aluminium. plastic, textile

Classification

Tool

Dimensions

5 1/2 x 9 1/4 x 3 7/8 in. (14.0 x 23.5 x 9.9 cm)

Markings

(1) Impressed on top side of metal heel: [in script] "Silver Streak" (2) Impressed on bottom side of metal heel: "SAUNDERS SINCE 1858 / MODEL 1038 / 1000 WATTS / 110-120 VOLTS A.C. ONLY" (3) Molded in Pyrex below handle: "PYREX"

Credit Line

Gift of Donald F. Wilkes

Accession Number

1992.167

Frequent Art Questions

  • What's this?

    This is the "Silver Streak" Iron designed by the Saunders Corporation around 1946.
    It's made of Pyrex glass, metal, cloth, and plastic. Pyrex was invented in 1915, but metal shortages during the 2nd World War led designers to find new uses for the material.
    Oh! So cool.
    Indeed! If you take a closer look, you'll see that the handle is molded like a hand, illustrating a newfound interest in ergonomics.
    Unfortunately, although the Pyrex stood up well to heat, the bright colors inside did not, and the "Silver Streak" was not produced for very long.

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Artists and makers

Saunders Machine & Tool Corporation

1 work in the collection

Corning Glass Works

9 works in the collection