For sale is an. Antique cast iron Shoo Fly Swatter Fan wind-up base. This early mechanical fan was designed to wave a fly swatter or cloth back and forth when wound, keeping flies away from food before the advent of electric fans. The piece still retains part of its. On the bottom, reading. “Mattai Ingram Co – Baltimore, MD”. Though much of it is no longer legible. The base is made of solid cast iron with its original wind-up mechanism (unrestored). It does seem to wind – but the little latch seems to get caught and does not remain in position, which continues to catch it to make the spinning a bit temperamental.