Did you know that Philippines started the cordless industry?

Plantsang di-Uling - The very first cordless item available in the market.
@calyxus (825)
Philippines
June 3, 2009 8:54am CST
Yeah, you read it right! The Filipinos did... Way back in the 1950s, the Filipinos invented the Cordless Flat Iron (see image). You know the one that we use to iron our clothes? The Filipinos used charcoal to supply the heat needed by the iron to function. No joke, guys! If you're not a Filipino, please ignore this discussion...
6 responses
• Philippines
3 Jun 09
HAHAHA!!! My husband is now laughing with me! We just remembered the "plantsang de uling" this morning while i was ironing our office uniforms! I have tried my mother's antique "cordless" iron when i was in my elementary years before we had our first electric iron (that one with the filament inside it that my father used to replace during the number of times it got damaged). That old iron (with the burning coals inside it) when placed over sheets of fresh banana leaves just gave out a pleasing aroma that reminds me now of native Filipino cakes! Hi, calyxus! So, have you, yourself laid your hands on one of those heavy and hot irons?
@calyxus (825)
• Philippines
3 Jun 09
Yeah! I actually had laid my hands on one of those babies... They were really heavy and hot but those iron do their job well, I should say... But I rest my case... Just got corrected, you know... the first comment? hehe...
• Philippines
3 Jun 09
Oh, yeah, saw spoiledbrat's response and i am only thankful to both of you because you made me and my husband laugh and i also learned from the link spoiledbrat shared. That's life, we get corrected sometimes and it's for our own good. Another knowledge added up there inside our head that's called brain! Enjoy the night!
@calyxus (825)
• Philippines
3 Jun 09
Well, it's great... I stand to be corrected... Hehe! Thanks that you've appreciated my "joke"...
• Philippines
24 Jun 09
Wow nice to know that we filipino invented the cordless flat iron. But the problem is our government did not support the inventor for further more develop of the invention. Then what happen to us now before we train other nationalist for agriculture but we could not develop our own agriculture in our country. Thailand, Japan, Taiwan and other country are trained here for agriculture but look up their country they have more develop than us.
@calyxus (825)
• Philippines
24 Jun 09
Yeah the government do not always support inventions because they have no budget for that. But nah, it's not the case here... Just look at the previous postings and you'll see... LOL
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
4 Jun 09
Well I do think it was even used way before the 50's since I know during the spanish era this has been used already. And I think this is not a Filipino invention but came from other country. Anyway if this was meant for a joke it is funny enough especially when you added the picture of the Iron.
@calyxus (825)
• Philippines
4 Jun 09
Yes, that was already corrected above... But yeah, thanks...
@rainmark (4302)
5 Jun 09
Hi there, i think it's not the filipino who invented the cordless flat iron. I saw a different style of flat charcoal iron here in England in Sudbury Hall and Childhood museum and people using them in the 16th or 17th century. Have a nice day.
@calyxus (825)
• Philippines
8 Jun 09
Oh I am so sorry... I never really intended to steal the credits from them... I was just having fun wiht my colleagues in the idea that the Filipinos "invented" that. No offense meant. Happy mylotting, friend!
@sandymay16 (1617)
• Philippines
5 Jun 09
Okay it' s not the Filipino who invented that kind of iron but we have that one at home and the last time I knew the iron was gone because the househelp took it home with her because they don't have electricity yet in the bario. And that was last year. I kind of like that iron because it really saves electricity and the smell from the dried banana leaves is nice the leaves are used instead of a cloth to place the iron and then use a candle/wax afterwards so it will not rust. Then I saw one at my brother's place last month but it was not used and it is still knew and he said they used it more than once when there was always brownout in the city.
@calyxus (825)
• Philippines
8 Jun 09
I am sorry to hear that... I'm afraid househelps have lost the virtue of trustworthiness, nowadays. But maybe she badly needed that iron in their barrio. Just thinnk of it as a help to her. Then again, I'm glad you've found your brother's iron. It really saves electricity... And I like your tip about using the candle wax..
@jovz07 (648)
• Philippines
4 Jun 09
oh really?? did we really invented that?? filipinos are always wise, thay can do anything!!
@calyxus (825)
• Philippines
4 Jun 09
Well, we invented our own version however there was already one on the other parts of the world. Too bad... But hey! I agree, Filipinos are always wise! Heha!