Feather duster

A feather duster is an implement used for 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 broom stick 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.

Feather Duster

Feather Duster is a short animated film featuring Krazy Kat. It is one of the few Krazy films directed by Bill Nolan who started the third season after the character had two runs previously.

Plot

Inside a house, a maid is dusting some ornaments. She then puts down her duster, and goes somewhere. A woman enters the room. This woman finds the duster a good hat accessory before putting it on, and going away. The maid returns to the scene, and is shocked to see her duster missing. Krazy, who is wondering outside, hears her weeping, and comes inside. He feels sorry for her, and decides to help out.

Wondering the outside again, Krazy spots a turkey. But before he could take a feather, the turkey is able to lose him. Krazy then spots what appears to be another turkey but is actually a parasol.

After some trouble with an escaped prisoner, Krazy sees a feathery figure behind a lightpost. But it appears it's actually a bomb-wielding spy. The spy hurls a bomb at Krazy which blasts the cat sky high. Krazy then lands on a buzzard, and tries to takes some tail feathers. The buzzard, however, tosses Krazy away before he could take any. Back on the ground, Krazy comes across a tent where a gremlin with a feather hat emerges. Krazy takes the feathers from the latter's hat, and flees. The gremlin calls out a bigger companion who starts hurling darts at Krazy.