The illustrations show some of the steps necessary before the iron reaches the shipping room. Fig. 1 shows the workman pouring an earthen ladle of molten metal into the molds in which the sole plates are cast. Fig. 2 shows the sole plate in the hands of the workman, held against a rapidly revolving polishing wheel, after it has been run through a milling machine and ground to a perfect size. Fig. 3 shows a huge punch press which cuts the blank of steel that is afterwards drawn to the shape of the iron top. The workman is seen holding in his hand the blank cut from a sheet of steel (Fig. 4). The blanks of flat steel of such irregular shape are next passed to a mammoth draw press which draws blanks into the perfect shape to be fitted over the top of the pressure plate which holds the heating element firmly against the sole plate. At the operator’s left hand is a stack of blanks and in his left hand he holds one ready to be placed in the draw press. In his right hand is a top just pulled from the press, and at the extreme right a large truck full of finished tops ready for the polishing wheels. 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. [Illustration: FIG. 3.--BLANKING THE STEEL TOPS] 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. [Illustration: FIG. 4.--DRAWING THE BLANKS INTO THE PERFECTLY SHAPED TOPS] [Illustration: FIG. 5.--SHOWING A BOX OF IMPORTED MICA Above on the table, a stack of “cores” and several elements ready for insertion in the iron. Notice the V shape.] [Illustration: FIG. 6.--OPERATOR ASSEMBLING SWITCH PLUGS] [Illustration: OPERATOR HOLDING ELEMENT BEFORE STRONG LIGHT TO DETECT DEFECTS IN THE MICA] [Illustration: INSPECTOR WITH CAREFULLY TRAINED, SENSITIVE FINGERS INSPECTING FINISHED IRONS BEFORE THEY ARE ENCASED IN THE CARTON] [Illustration: FIG. 7.--ELECTRIC BOUDOIR SET THREE-POUND IRON Stand for converting the iron into small stove, curling tongs heater, felt bag.]