Feather duster
A feather duster is an implement used for dusting and cleaning. It consists typically of a wooden-dowel handle and feathers from either the male or female ostrich bird that are wound onto the handle by a wrapped wire. Dusters vary in size but are most often between 14 to 32 inches (36 to 81 cm) in total length. Some dusters have a retractable casing instead of a dowel handle. These dusters are typically used by rack-jobbers and truck drivers who need to dust store shelves, and like to retract the feathers into the handle to avoid damage.
Feather dusters are effective in dusting tight areas, or areas where there are a lot of odds and ends to dust around. The individual feathers are able to penetrate through the knick-knacks and pull the dust out of the area without disturbing items. On large open surfaces or walls, or in trying to get spider webs in the ceiling, either a feather duster or other dusters like lambswool or synthetic dusters will work.
History
In 1870, the original idea for the feather duster was conceived in a broom factory in Jones County, Iowa, U.S.. A farmer brought a bundle of turkey feathers into the factory asking if they could be used to assemble a brush. E.E. Hoag used these feathers to invent the first feather duster. Using a short broomstick and splitting the feathers with a pocket knife, the duster was found to be too stiff for use. In 1874, the Hoag Duster Company was founded, which became a pioneer of feather dusters in the U.S. state of Iowa.
South African ostrich feather dusters were developed in Johannesburg, South Africa by missionary, broom factory manager, Harry S. Beckner in 1903. He felt that the Ostrich feathers made a convenient tool for cleaning up the machines at the broom factory. His first ostrich feather dusters were wound on broom handles using the foot-powered kick winders and the same wire used to attach broom straw. The Chicago Feather Duster Company was established in 1875. They received a patent for the head of the duster on September 17, 1907, along with a patent for the cuff on December 22, 1906. The first ostrich feather duster company in the United States was formed in 1913 by Harry S. Beckner and his brother George Beckner in Athol, Massachusetts, and has survived till this day as the Beckner Feather Duster Company under the care of George Beckner's great-granddaughter, Margret Fish Rempher. Today the largest manufacturer of Ostrich Feather Dusters is Klein Karoo International (Feathers) which is located in Oudtshoorn, South Africa.
The feather duster was considered a status symbol in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
In BDSM & tickling sessions
Feather dusters may be used as a pervertible in several ways:
- Feather duster's are commonly used in a sessions environment as a prop for French maid outfits in forced feminization sessions to help emphasize the role of the players.
- They may also used in tickle sessions.
- In Asia, the handle of a feather duster is often used as a spanking implements for young children.
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Feather_duster ]
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