POTTS, Mary, American, 1867-1971. Mary devised a better system for ironing clothes. She invented double-pointed irons (in sets of 3) with a clip-on walnut handle, which was transferable from one iron to another. Previously, solid cast-iron ones were used in pairs. In 1890 she brought out a miniature iron suitable for a little girl to use (mother’s little helper!). In those days irons were known as ‘sad irons’ because they were heavy. So any aspect of interchangeability such as Mary had introduced made hard work much easier. Her products were exhibited in 1876.