Pointless Electronics
Whilst it might be a very personal preference I'd just like to point out that to some (myself included) such electronics can very much be a life saver. Having personally experienced the demise and death of someone suffering dementure it can be a close call between taking someone's independence away versus letting them carry on with their regular routine. Irons carry such safety devices for very good reason.
Appliances with auto shut offs are a boon for all in my opinion, they save so much heartache and misery in the long run. This part of the iron only failed and rendered the iron useless just as much as a faulty fuse or heating element would. Old appliances are not all as worthy as some like to make out, I've had too many vintage irons get far too hot due to faulty thermostats. Probably the very reason they were disposed of anyway.