Third to None

I truly believe,from my own experiences and what I,myself,whitnessed over the 20+ years of having that dreadfull? disease called "FRIGIDAIRE-ITUS" that from their begining of production until around 1960,the FRIGIDAIRE appliances (not only their laundry poducts) were not only made to last long but far beyond anyone else in enginering,design,performance,style,eligance,cost and dependability.The collections that are among those in this site prove that beyond the shadow of a doubt.I am not going to say,nor do I believe that there were no other brands close to that because Bendix,Westinghouse,Apex,ABC,Kelvinator,Speed Queen,Whirlpool and GE all had their own "Hay Days in different products they made but nobody came anywhere near the design,features,colors and style of the FRIGIDAIRE appliances.GE had some great ideas as well as Whirlpool and Bendix but FRIGIDAIRE,being a division of GM had not only the money to afford making products with features way ahead of their time.

In 1964,FRIGIDAIRE introduced the Jet-Action washers.They were designed with a direct drive system having nylon rollers instead of a transmision similar to the competetor's.The "Roller Matic Mechanism had:
No Pullies
No Gears
No Belts
and also had the Deep Action Agitator shaped like a rocket capsul.Their Rapidry 1000 models would spin so fast that permanent press became permanently wrinkled.
In 1965,Frigidaire's"High Fassion line was introduced and had some of the most interesting designs ever made.The washer and dryer (WXP and DXP) were about 5.5 ft tall and had built in cabinitry,electronicc dispensers and flurescent lighting that iluminated the tops and shined through the washer's glass lid.The washer had controls that allowed you to "tune in the agitation from none at all to around 340bpms.The spin speed seletor allowed from 75 to 1010 rpms.
The High Fassion Range had a shelf that had two infra red lights that allowed you to put plates full of food on to keep hot.They,later on,had a 30 inch range that had a built in hot water faucet for things like instant coffee,soup,mashed potatoes and Jello.That model was found to have some serious issues and some owners got electric shock from the dispenser.

I know GE also had some neat inventions like the sink/clothes washer,the dishwasher with a seperate spray arm just beneath the silverware basket,Their washer dryers,fabulous electric ranges and cabinet design refrigerators but,my own taste and sites I saw where the damned things just would not die,is why I am partial to the FRIGIDAIRES.They were also the only company that supported my interests by keeping me informed on new products being introduced.Mr Ferrill, who was the vice president of FRIGIDAIRE Sales Corporation in Philadelphia,PA.on Hunting Park Avenue from around 1969 to 1980,would always speak to me on the phone and write me back with promo items like pens,pocket protectors,banners with FRIGIDAIRE'S logo,Agitator sprinklers shaped like the Jet-Cone 1-18 models,suites catalogs and newsletters showing prototipes of appliances to come.In 1971,I was aent a write up regarding the Touch-N-Cook range.In the letter sent along with it,George(Mr Ferrill)said that it was very hush-hush and to,no punn intended,keep it on the back burner.I did and in 1972,I saw it unvailed at the Chevrolet plant where my grandfather worked for 35 years.We'd go there to see the new cars being introduced every year and I'd always get in trouble for leaving my family group to go talk to the "FRIGIDAIRE Queen" and druil over all the new FRIGIDAIRE appliances being introduced.I had aquired a few of the T&C ranges and liked them a lot.The only thing I didn't like was the black glass oven windows on the later models.I prefer a see thru window not black glass.That's one reason,of many,I do not like the Sears Kenmore washers and dryers(HE)Why have a window you can't see into????

My draem woulkd be to see FRIGIDAIRE take the plunge and reintroduce the slanted front Laundromat washer and matching dryer.With the technology of today and the design of yesterday,there's no reason why they couldn't do it.
The Weigh-to-Save door,interior drum light,slanted 4.5 cu.ft.wash basket,free rinse and high speed spin would be features on the washer.The built in xylophone,110V or 220V electric connection,sensor drying,reverse tumbling and interior light would be the features on the dryer.I am sure there are others here who would die seeing that design brought back.Aloha!


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Post# 378350 9/12/2009 at 18:25 (5,339 days old) by mrcleanjeans (milwaukee wi)
Checkrate/Likes A question for the experts. Next to Maytag, which brand was the next best in terms of reliability and quality construction in the 1950s and 1960s? Thanks!

Post# 378355 , Reply# 1 9/12/2009 at 19:07 (5,339 days old) by qsd-dan (West)
Checkrate/Likes Whirlpool/Kenmore, IMHO

Post# 378361 , Reply# 2 9/12/2009 at 19:20 (5,339 days old) by 70series ( Connecticut.)
Checkrate/Likes Whirlpool/Kenmore for sure.

Post# 378367 , Reply# 3 9/12/2009 at 19:34 (5,339 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut)
Checkrate/Likes *Nonsense!* GE and GM way before the Whirlmores. IMHO nothing was better engineered than Maytags. The company won national awards for work they did on aircraft during WWII; they did for aviation what they did for agitation: creating single parts that did the work of multiple parts. But GE and Frigidaire deserve to share the the Miss Congeniality Title. Better engineering, better design than Whirlmores. Look at reliability ratings in old Consumer Reports issues.

Post# 378374 , Reply# 4 9/12/2009 at 20:27 (5,339 days old) by toploader1984 ()
Checkrate/Likes i say the GE filter flo's i grew up with a early 80s belt drive whirlpool, was a good machine, we replaced the belt a little early and the pump, my filter flo is also from the early 80s late 70s and still going strong.

Post# 378401 , Reply# 5 9/12/2009 at 21:50 (5,339 days old) by peterh770 (Marietta, GA)
Checkrate/Likes Speed Queen. Just as complicated as WP, but the number one coin laundry machine in the 50's and 60's.

Post# 378411 , Reply# 6 9/12/2009 at 22:09 (5,339 days old) by mrcleanjeans (milwaukee wi)
Checkrate/Likes Interesting! But were the commercial SQs built the same as the home units of those days?

Post# 378412 , Reply# 7 9/12/2009 at 22:18 (5,339 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)
Checkrate/Likes I loved our 1960 Kenmore Model 80, but trouble-free it definitely was not. It required quite a few visits from the repairman over the years. In fact, I remember his name: LeRoy. I finally retired the washer in '84, after my Mom died and I moved into the family home. I bought a super-capacity Whirlpool pair (with winged Surgilator).

Post# 378416 , Reply# 8 9/12/2009 at 22:30 (5,339 days old) by qsd-dan (West)
Checkrate/Likes *Speed Queens* There's been a lot of talk about newer Speeds Queens and their reliability. Just how long has the current design been around?

Post# 378419 , Reply# 9 9/12/2009 at 23:52 (5,339 days old) by rinso (Meridian Idaho)
Checkrate/Likes IMHO that would have to be GE, followed closely by WP/KM. But don't give Maytag too many Kudos for reliability. The old Maytag AMP's were notoriously trouble-prone and very unrefined. Think clunky, banging solenooid. The unbalance, water level, and lid switches were all in the lid and subject to steam/rust rapid deterioration. The lid switch prevented you from watching your clothes not roll over during the anemic wash and rinse periods.

Post# 378514 , Reply# 13 9/13/2009 at 09:54 (5,338 days old) by revvinkevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)
Checkrate/Likes *Just a comment about the "reverse tumbling" dryer.* I have a 12 year old Frigidaire Gallery FL set and my dryer has this "reverse tumble" feature. Personally, after living with them for the last 12 years, I don't see the benifit in it. If I wash anything else with sheets for example, it will still ends up all balled up within the sheets by the time everything is dry. Apperently Frigidaire didn't think it was a benifit either (or it was a cost cutting measure), because a few years after we bought ours, the new dryers no longer had this feature. Don't get me wrong, I like the dryer because it dries the clothes exactly as it's supposed to, but I think the "reverse tumbling dryer" was simply a marketing gimmick.

Post# 380324 , Reply# 14 9/21/2009 at 04:48 (5,331 days old) by alr2903 (TN)
Checkrate/Likes Interesting point Laundromat. Who would have the patents for the old laundromat machines? Electrolux or ? would the patents for the slant fronts still be good if they had not renewed them? Lebron, the High Fashion machines used to rotate on the POD. Of all places they were on a balcony. It was a cute advertisement. alr2903

Post# 380328 , Reply# 15 9/21/2009 at 05:59 (5,331 days old) by laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii)
Checkrate/Likes *Alr* I would think that the pattents would be in some of the old Westinghouse files.In that,there could be some problems if,for some reason,Either WCI or E'lux decided the past had past and destroyed or just tossed all of any hystorical or significant pattents and protoytpes. Years ago.a woman in Conn. had a 1955 Westinghouse dryer that was a DeLuxe model and matched the Laundromat washer I already had. She mailed me a letter and I was on my way to Massachusets with John LaFever to see John Charles and his collection not too long ater receiving it.So,we picked it up on the way and took it along.She told us that she had sent a letter to White Westinghouse and, in their reply,they showed not only no interest but also their ignorance regarding that gem. So,unfortunately,my imediate assumption is there is nobody home at E'lux with the desire,passion,history,product knowledge or interest in even thinking about introducing anything near a replica of a classic American made major appliance.I would be plesantly surprised to see them even attempt to do that. Maybe we can all send them the ideas with photos just to see what their reaction,if any,is. Aloha!

Post# 378433 , Reply# 10 9/13/2009 at 00:30 (5,339 days old) by peterh770 (Marietta, GA)
Checkrate/Likes Yes, the same as home, but with a bigger pulley for a faster spin speed I believe.

Post# 378434 , Reply# 11 9/13/2009 at 00:51 (5,339 days old) by laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii)
Checkrate/Likes I truly believe,from my own experiences and what I,myself,whitnessed over the 20+ years of having that dreadfull? disease called "FRIGIDAIRE-ITUS" that from their begining of production until around 1960,the FRIGIDAIRE appliances (not only their laundry poducts) were not only made to last long but far beyond anyone else in enginering,design,performance,style,eligance,cost and dependability.The collections that are among those in this site prove that beyond the shadow of a doubt.I am not going to say,nor do I believe that there were no other brands close to that because Bendix,Westinghouse,Apex,ABC,Kelvinator,Speed Queen,Whirlpool and GE all had their own "Hay Days in different products they made but nobody came anywhere near the design,features,colors and style of the FRIGIDAIRE appliances.GE had some great ideas as well as Whirlpool and Bendix but FRIGIDAIRE,being a division of GM had not only the money to afford making products with features way ahead of their time. In 1964,FRIGIDAIRE introduced the Jet-Action washers.They were designed with a direct drive system having nylon rollers instead of a transmision similar to the competetor's.The "Roller Matic Mechanism had: No Pullies No Gears No Belts and also had the Deep Action Agitator shaped like a rocket capsul.Their Rapidry 1000 models would spin so fast that permanent press became permanently wrinkled. In 1965,Frigidaire's"High Fassion line was introduced and had some of the most interesting designs ever made.The washer and dryer (WXP and DXP) were about 5.5 ft tall and had built in cabinitry,electronicc dispensers and flurescent lighting that iluminated the tops and shined through the washer's glass lid.The washer had controls that allowed you to "tune in the agitation from none at all to around 340bpms.The spin speed seletor allowed from 75 to 1010 rpms. The High Fassion Range had a shelf that had two infra red lights that allowed you to put plates full of food on to keep hot.They,later on,had a 30 inch range that had a built in hot water faucet for things like instant coffee,soup,mashed potatoes and Jello.That model was found to have some serious issues and some owners got electric shock from the dispenser. I know GE also had some neat inventions like the sink/clothes washer,the dishwasher with a seperate spray arm just beneath the silverware basket,Their washer dryers,fabulous electric ranges and cabinet design refrigerators but,my own taste and sites I saw where the damned things just would not die,is why I am partial to the FRIGIDAIRES.They were also the only company that supported my interests by keeping me informed on new products being introduced.Mr Ferrill, who was the vice president of FRIGIDAIRE Sales Corporation in Philadelphia,PA.on Hunting Park Avenue from around 1969 to 1980,would always speak to me on the phone and write me back with promo items like pens,pocket protectors,banners with FRIGIDAIRE'S logo,Agitator sprinklers shaped like the Jet-Cone 1-18 models,suites catalogs and newsletters showing prototipes of appliances to come.In 1971,I was aent a write up regarding the Touch-N-Cook range.In the letter sent along with it,George(Mr Ferrill)said that it was very hush-hush and to,no punn intended,keep it on the back burner.I did and in 1972,I saw it unvailed at the Chevrolet plant where my grandfather worked for 35 years.We'd go there to see the new cars being introduced every year and I'd always get in trouble for leaving my family group to go talk to the "FRIGIDAIRE Queen" and druil over all the new FRIGIDAIRE appliances being introduced.I had aquired a few of the T&C ranges and liked them a lot.The only thing I didn't like was the black glass oven windows on the later models.I prefer a see thru window not black glass.That's one reason,of many,I do not like the Sears Kenmore washers and dryers(HE)Why have a window you can't see into???? My draem woulkd be to see FRIGIDAIRE take the plunge and reintroduce the slanted front Laundromat washer and matching dryer.With the technology of today and the design of yesterday,there's no reason why they couldn't do it. The Weigh-to-Save door,interior drum light,slanted 4.5 cu.ft.wash basket,free rinse and high speed spin would be features on the washer.The built in xylophone,110V or 220V electric connection,sensor drying,reverse tumbling and interior light would be the features on the dryer.I am sure there are others here who would die seeing that design brought back.Aloha!

Post# 378451 , Reply# 12 9/13/2009 at 01:32 (5,339 days old) by lebron (Minnesota)
Checkrate/Likes "In 1965,Frigidaire's High Fassion line was introduced and had some of the most interesting designs ever made.The washer and dryer (WXP and DXP) were about 5.5 ft tall and had built in cabinitry,electronicc dispensers and flurescent lighting that iluminated the tops and shined through the washer's glass lid.The washer had controls that allowed you to "tune in the agitation from none at all to around 340bpms.The spin speed seletor allowed from 75 to 1010 rpms." any one have any pics of this machine? sounds fascinating!

Post# 381160 , Reply# 16 9/24/2009 at 06:22 (5,328 days old) by thirtyater ()
Checkrate/Likes *Rollermatics???* Laundromat, did you ever own a rollermatic? Mom bought a new Gold Crown Rollermatic and it gets our vote for the worst machine ever made. It required numerous service calls from the time it was new. When it was six years old the dealer said it was beyond repair and hit the scrap pile. The dealer also said that the rollermatics were a very troublesome design.

Post# 381161 , Reply# 17 9/24/2009 at 06:33 (5,328 days old) by thirtyater ()
Checkrate/Likes *On the other hand...* Mom had a Frigidaire freezer that was bought before the rollermatic that laster for about 20 years with no issues. Mom would never let another Frigidaire appliance in the house after the rollermatic. Speed Queen, our 1967 SQ dryer required quite a bit of attention to keep running too. I know several people here are not fond of GE but our best luck by far has been with GE appliances.

Post# 381170 , Reply# 18 9/24/2009 at 08:05 (5,327 days old) by rickr (.)
Checkrate/Likes Whirlpool/Kenmore, for sure!