Henry Seely's 1882 Electric Flatiron
An 1882 patent for the first electric flatiron, which used internal heating elements to replace the heavy, fire-heated irons of the Victorian era.
Original patent title: “Henby w”
An 1882 patent for the first electric flatiron, which used internal heating elements to replace the heavy, fire-heated irons of the Victorian era. Granted to Henry W. Seely in 1882 with 3 forward citations.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent describes a device that uses electrical resistance to generate heat within the body of a laundry iron. By passing an electric current through a resistive heating element inside the iron's metal base, the device maintains a consistent temperature for smoothing fabric. This eliminated the need to heat the iron on a stove, which was the standard method for centuries.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover steam-based ironing systems.
- Does not cover cordless or wireless charging technology for irons.
- Does not cover modern temperature-controlled thermostats or sensors.
- Does not cover irons that use external heat sources like gas or coal.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The invention cleverly repurposed the concept of electrical resistance—already known in telegraphy and lighting—to create a controlled, portable heat source for a common household tool.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Early electric flatirons
Modern corded household clothing irons
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This invention marked the transition of household chores into the electric age. It is a foundational piece of history for modern domestic appliances, shifting the burden of labor from manual fire-tending to electrical convenience.
Granted
June 6, 1882
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Major home appliance manufacturers like Rowenta, Black+Decker, and Philips continue to iterate on the basic heating principles established by early electric iron patents.
Market impact
This patent helped initiate the electrification of the home, paving the way for the broader market of small kitchen and laundry appliances that define modern living standards.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent describes a device that uses electrical resistance to generate heat within the body of a laundry iron. By passing an electric current through a resistive heating element inside the iron's metal base, the device maintains a consistent temperature for smoothing fabric. This eliminated the need to heat the iron on a stove, which was the standard method for centuries.
The clever bit
The invention cleverly repurposed the concept of electrical resistance—already known in telegraphy and lighting—to create a controlled, portable heat source for a common household tool.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover steam-based ironing systems.
- Does not cover cordless or wireless charging technology for irons.
- Does not cover modern temperature-controlled thermostats or sensors.
- Does not cover irons that use external heat sources like gas or coal.
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Limited data
Citation count
12/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
0/20
Older than 20 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$3K – $9K
Midpoint $5K · expired or expiring · industry ×0.9
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
(1882). Henry Seely's 1882 Electric Flatiron (U.S. Patent No. 259,054). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/259054/electric-iron-seely
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Henry Seely's 1882 Electric Flatiron cover?
An 1882 patent for the first electric flatiron, which used internal heating elements to replace the heavy, fire-heated irons of the Victorian era.
Who owns patent US 259054?
Henry W. Seely owns this patent, granted in 1882.
When does this patent expire?
This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely.
What is patent US 259054 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 3 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This invention marked the transition of household chores into the electric age. It is a foundational piece of history for modern domestic appliances, shifting the burden of labor from manual fire-tending to electrical convenience.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover steam-based ironing systems.
Patent monitoring