Skip to main content

'His trouser presses were like an old friend': Tributes to inventor of eponymous electric trouser press Peter Corby - whose creation became a fixture in British hotel rooms and was taken apart by a bored Alan Partridge - as he dies aged 97

Invented in the 1960s, it was a device which became an aspirational product for the British middle classes.

The Corby electric trouser press - still a common feature of hotel bedrooms up and down the country - banished 'baggy knees' and gave its users a sense of crisp satisfaction. 

The press's inventor, Peter Corby, who has died aged 97, was inspired to develop his product's electrical heating pad after a chance meeting with a Concorde aeronautical engineer.

His device, which is still made in Britain, has become a target for satirists. 

In the 2009 MP's expenses scandal, it emerged that senior Liberal Democrat Chris Huhne had claimed £119 in expenses for one of the devices.

Huhne went to pay the money back and admitted the claim was 'a bit Alan Partridge'.

It was likely a reference to an episode of the British comedy classic, when Steve Coogan's bored character pulls apart his trouser press in his hotel room.

Today, Twitter users paid tribute to Mr Corby's product after news of his death emerged. One said: 'His trouser presses were like an old friend'. 

Invented in the 1960s, it was a device which became an aspirational product for the British middle classes. The Corby electric trouser press - still a common feature of hotel bedrooms up and down the country - banished 'baggy knees' and gave its users a sense of warm satisfaction

Invented in the 1960s, it was a device which became an aspirational product for the British middle classes. The Corby electric trouser press - still a common feature of hotel bedrooms up and down the country - banished 'baggy knees' and gave its users a sense of warm satisfaction

The press's inventor, Peter Corby, who has died aged 97, was inspired to develop his product's electrical heating pad after a chance meeting with a Concorde aeronautical engineer

The press's inventor, Peter Corby, who has died aged 97, was inspired to develop his product's electrical heating pad after a chance meeting with a Concorde aeronautical engineer

Mr Corby's father John began making and selling what were then described as valet stands in 1930.

Then, in the early 1960s, Mr Corby patented a design which included an electrical heating pad.

The stated aim was to create a product which would 'produce a better appearance of the trousers than known presses'. 

The presses were also usefully equipped with a jacket hanger and a tray for small change. 

Today, Twitter users paid tribute to Mr Corby's product after news of his death emerged. One said: 'His trouser presses were like an old friend'

Today, Twitter users paid tribute to Mr Corby's product after news of his death emerged. One said: 'His trouser presses were like an old friend'

In 1977, after selling millions of presses, Mr Corby sold his business to what is now Jourdan plc. It is now owned by Huddersfield firm Fired Up Corporation. 

Born in Leamington Spa in July 1924, Mr Corby joined the Royal Air Froce's Volunteer Reserve in September 1943 and was mobilised in February 1944, according to the Telegraph.

After training as a flight engineer, he flew in the Halifax bomber as part of 78 Squadron in the final weeks of the war in Europe. 

After the war, Mr Corby returned to the skies in 1948, flying in a Lincoln bomber. 

Born in Leamington Spa in July 1924, Mr Corby joined the Royal Air Froce's Volunteer Reserve in September 1943 and was mobilised in February 1944

Born in Leamington Spa in July 1924, Mr Corby joined the Royal Air Froce's Volunteer Reserve in September 1943 and was mobilised in February 1944

He then joined his father in the family business, before the older man's death in 1955.

Then, the inventor met a Concorde engineer who had discovered a way of preventing the famous supersonic airliner's nose from freezing.

Mr Corby was inspired by the innovation to develop the heating element of the trouser press, transforming their effectiveness.

The businessman then began a leasing arrangement with hotels in the early 1970s before selling his firm.

Mr Corby went on to hold positions at a number of other firms but then lost much of his fortune in the financial crisis of the early 1990s.

Adverts for the trouser press were often humorous and referenced gender stereotypes. Above: A 2002 advert for the device

Adverts for the trouser press were often humorous and referenced gender stereotypes. Above: A 2002 advert for the device

This advert in the Daily Mail invited would-be buyers to 'return handsome dividends'. It added: 'Today's man looks 100 per cent. Never crumpled. He owns a Corby trouser press'

This advert in the Daily Mail invited would-be buyers to 'return handsome dividends'. It added: 'Today's man looks 100 per cent. Never crumpled. He owns a Corby trouser press'

This festive advert for the Corby trouser press referenced The Twelve Days of Christmas song

This festive advert for the Corby trouser press referenced The Twelve Days of Christmas song

In 1980, the businessman retired to the Isle of Wight. His home was full of his experimental gadgets, including various tie press machines. 

He is survived by his second wife Gail Clifford-Marshall and their son, as well as two children from his first marriage.   

Paying tribute on Twitter, others said Mr Corby was a 'remarkable businessman' who 'managed to keep selling a product (mainly to hotels) despite the fact that most guests never used it'. 

Another noted his passing by jokingly referencing the scene in Alan Partridge, saying 'just don't get bored and take one to bits'.  

Popular posts from this blog

Study Abroad USA, College of Charleston, Popular Courses, Alumni

Thinking for Study Abroad USA. School of Charleston, the wonderful grounds is situated in the actual middle of a verifiable city - Charleston. Get snatched up by the wonderful and customary engineering, beautiful pathways, or look at the advanced steel and glass building which houses the School of Business. The grounds additionally gives students simple admittance to a few major tech organizations like Amazon's CreateSpace, Google, TwitPic, and so on. The school offers students nearby as well as off-grounds convenience going from completely outfitted home lobbies to memorable homes. It is prepared to offer different types of assistance and facilities like clubs, associations, sporting exercises, support administrations, etc. To put it plainly, the school grounds is rising with energy and there will never be a dull second for students at the College of Charleston. Concentrate on Abroad USA is improving and remunerating for your future. The energetic grounds likewise houses various

Best MBA Online Colleges in the USA

“Opportunities never open, instead we create them for us”. Beginning with this amazing saying, let’s unbox today’s knowledge. Love Business and marketing? Want to make a high-paid career in business administration? Well, if yes, then mate, we have got you something amazing to do!   We all imagine an effortless future with a cozy house and a laptop. Well, well! You can make this happen. Today, with this guide, we will be exploring some of the top-notch online MBA universities and institutes in the USA. Let’s get started! Why learn Online MBA from the USA? Access to More Options This online era has given a second chance to children who want to reflect on their careers while managing their hectic schedules. In this, the internet has played a very crucial in rejuvenating schools, institutes, and colleges to give the best education to students across the globe. Graduating with Less Debt Regular classes from high reputed institutes often charge heavy tuition fees. However onl

Sickening moment maskless 'Karen' COUGHS in the face of grocery store customer, then claims she doesn't have to wear a mask because she 'isn't sick'

A woman was captured on camera following a customer through a supermarket as she coughs on her after claiming she does not need a mask because she is not sick.  Video of the incident, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on Twitter alone, allegedly took place in a Su per Saver in Lincoln, Nebraska according to Twitter user @davenewworld_2. In it, an unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of the customer recording her. Scroll down for video An unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of a woman recording her A woman was captured on camera following a customer as she coughs on her in a supermarket without a mask on claiming she does not need one because she is not sick @chaiteabugz #karen #covid #karens #karensgonewild #karensalert #masks we were just wearing a mask at the store. ¿ o