St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1946-08-30
First of General
Mills Appliances
il Electric Iron


One Of the Twin Cities newest
poat-war industries, homo appli-
ances, has swung into high gear,
Officials at General Mills' Mechani-
cal Division plant at 1920 Central
Ave. N. r., reported that about
$1,000 General Mills Tru-Heat
irons, first IN the eompany's new
family az home appliances, have
already rolled Oh the assembly line
and are now being distributed 70
dealers IN this area. The plant is
currently turning out around l56OO
irons q day.
The new streamlined iron was
frat produced back IN mid-June on
4 small scale. Gradually, the pro-
duction tempo was stepped up.
When full production 10 reached,
the plant plans 70 turn out 10000
irons q month.
Unique New Machinery
with the new industry, General
Mills brings some unique new ma
chinaRy 10 this area. In manufae.
turing the Tru-Heat iron, the only
automatic chrome and nickel plat
fng machines In the Twin Cities are
used. The chrome platter Is capable
Of finishing between 200 and $50
sets Of Tru-Heat iron parts an
hour.
Other unique devices at the plant
are Q specially fooled Hanchett
grinder that cuts out sole plates at
the rate Of 400 per hour; a Kings
bury drilling machine for punching
holes IN the irons sole platei a
huge press which gives the iron its
Ashimrny trim; four special edge
grindaFa for sole plates; and q COM
pIote barrel plating line Hetup,
where iron sole plates and tops are
Dipped In and cut Of large watts
containing hot and cold solutions.
An interesting spot in the plant
Is the assembly room where a long
row Of girls IN plain blue slack
suits piece the iron together amid
the hum Of rivet machines and air
fixtures. Six coli winding machines,
designed az TIE plant, are used In
the assembly process.
IFoa Pastures Tru.Heat Control
Betty Croker, recently voted by
homemakers Americas most popu-
lar home service personality, win
sponsor the Tru-Heat iron as well
a. future General Mills home ap-
plinncea. Distinctive features Of
The iron are a new method Of heat
control, safety side rests, q Full
Vus f0ur-way sole plate, and q Tru-
Heat fabric selector.
Tru-Haat control Il q patented
principle of heat control that holds
the temperature Of the sole plate
within D few degrees Of the desired
heat Tho Iron follows reeommenda-
tions inside BY Coed Housekeeping
Inntitate, whose authorities report
Cd that postwar irons used on new
eR types Of textile fabrics viii have
70 maintain more accurate tenn
peraturos than pre-war irons.
AccOr ding to demonstrators,
apfeky side rests provide greater
stability and make the iron easier
% use. IN addition, they eliminate
need Tor the old-faBhioned square
heel, making possible the stroke
saving Ftill-Vue four-way ironing
surface. The taper-founded heel
afcTda smooth operation In all d.
recticnn.
A double check control Il fhe
TFu-Hoat fabric selector dial, To-
Gated high on the front handle. II
SHOVE exact temperatures AZ well
a. fabric settings. Before leaving
the Central Avenue plant, the irons
are tested and ra-teated to insure
all-round perfection.
Merchandising and Distrlbution
The merchandising and distribu-
ton methods 10 b used IN bringing
the new General Mills line Of ap-
planes to homemakerB have been
BtEqamlined. The products win b
sold through all types Of retail
stores cnstomArily selling home an
planes. There win be no exclu-
aiye franchises and any retail store
may purchase the iron for resale,
using established electrical, appli-
ance, and hardware distributors as
the source.
After INTRODUCTION Of the iron In
Minnesota and other Midwestern
states, company plans call for ex-
panded distribution until full ma
tional coverage Is achieved early
next year. An aid In identifying
the iron Is a polka dot pattern
used on cartons, shipping contain.
ers, literature, advertisements, dis
play materials, etc.