Stylish Silver Streak Iron Remains a Hot Postwar Design Collectible
The Saunders Corporation teamed up with Corning Glass Works to develop the Silver Streak Iron, a heat-resistant, aerodynamic iron made almost entirely from Pyrex glass. Its sleek design and punchy colors made it a postwar wonder and highly collectible.
Question: While helping our mother downsize her home, we came across this iron. We love the look but don’t know anything about it. Can you help?
Answer: You have a Silver Streak Iron, manufactured by Saunders Machine & Tool Corp., N.Y., and Corning Glass Works, Corning, N.Y., in 1946. It’s a wonderful example of postwar design. The Silver Streak’s aerodynamic form is immediately recognizable because of streamlining, a style that dominated the 1930s and focused on smooth lines, clean forms and the impression of speed and efficiency. The addition of heat and fabric settings also streamlined the ironing process itself, as it removed guesswork from the chore and allowed the user to determine how much power would be required for individual laundry items.
What is most indicative of the Silver Streak’s place in postwar design, however, is what it is made of: Pyrex.
Developed by Corning Glass Works as a heat-resistant glass alternative to metal cookware, Pyrex made its debut in 1915. Its market expanded during World War II due to the demanding nature of wartime manufacturing, which restricted the use of metal for all other products. This metal shortage led to innovative design substitutions, as seen here: where metal would normally have been used, the Silver Streak Iron employs Pyrex.
The heat-resistant glass that worked well in ovens could now prevent burnt hands while ironing, and its moldable nature allowed for a more ergonomic handle. Although this new use for Pyrex was successful, the colored emulsion under the glass body couldn’t stand the heat. As a result, the colorful Silver Streak was only produced for a short time. Silver Streak Irons are popular postwar design collectibles. Depending on condition and color, values can range from $400 to $2,000. We’ve seen a similar iron as yours sell at auction for $650.
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Paul Kennedy is Editorial Director of the Collectibles Group at AIM Media. He enjoys Mid-century design, photography, vintage movie posters and people with a good story to share. Kennedy has more than twenty-five years of experience in the antiques and collectibles field, including book publishing. Reach him at PKennedy@aimmedia.com.
