The electric iron, as we know it today, was invented by Henry W. Seeley in the late 19th century. Seeley, an American inventor, patented his electric iron design in 1882. His invention revolutionized the way people pressed clothes by replacing traditional flat irons, which were heated on a stove or over an open flame, with a more convenient and efficient electrically heated device. Since then, electric irons have undergone numerous improvements and advancements, becoming an essential household appliance for millions of people around the world.