Earl H. Richardson was a meter reader for the Ontario Power
Company in the early 1900’s. In his spare time, he experimented
with electrifying flat irons. Designing a small, lighter weight
model (flatirons could weigh 5-10 pounds each), he convinced his
company to generate power all day every Tuesday (ironing day) so
power customers could use his new iron. He reasoned that if
enough electric irons were in use, customers would demand more
power and the high rates would be reduced. It worked. By 1904,
he left the power company and started up the Pacific Electric
Heating Company on Euclid Avenue just below the railroad tracks
to manufacture electric irons. A major problem was soon
identified: the iron got too hot in the center of the ironing
plate. Richardson asked his wife Mary for advice (!). She
suggested that he make an iron with more heat at the point for
easier pressing around buttonholes, ruffles and pleats. He
fabricated this new improved version and gave several to local
laundresses to try for one week.