“What Is It Wednesday” Revealed – every Wednesday we post an unusual artifact from our collections and encourage viewers to guess the object. While this object is not on display, please visit the newly-renovated Nebraska History Museum to see interesting Nebraska history like this on exhibit now!
What Is It Wednesday – August 10
9188-100 Fluting Iron This object was used to make and launder clothing, specifically fluted trimmings, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many different kinds of fluting irons, or fluters, were manufactured. Some were ‘rocker’ style; others operated with a crank. All improved earlier methods of this process, which involved wrapping each individual crease by hand around a goffering iron. Ladies’ and children’s clothing of the late 19th century featured a lot of pleated (also known as fluted or plaited) trim, which is why they needed this contraption. Bibliography / Read On: Here’s another blog that talks about fluting irons: https://afinecollection.wordpress.com/2012/02/08/fluting-iron-1866/