I remember one that was sort of a combination of thimblebug and onebyone's from my childhood. A tall metal post with a loop on the top but a spring at the bottom. I, too, was the 'designated ironer' for lots of my childhood and this was a staple. Don't have one now. Not sure how the modern iron's would play with them as most have pivoting ends going into the iron base (and these seem to be a breakage risk - at least that's my experience).