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Thread Number: 29596
A challenge to everybody: |
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Post# 449952 7/17/2010 at 07:13 (5,025 days old) by bajaespuma  (Connecticut) |
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One of my favorite colleagues at a cooking school(that shall go unnamed) where I used to teach gave a terrific lecture for students (and invited faculty)called, "What makes a Classic, classic?" I was just looking at the Corning ware post in the Super forum and it occured to me that Corningware, because of its intrinsic quality, market life, durability and style is an American Classic. Undisputably.
I'm curious what everyone thinks is an "Imperial Forum" classic. I'm going to start this with a really easy choice: 
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Post# 449953 , Reply# 1 7/17/2010 at 07:17 (5,025 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut) |
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I bet you thought I was going to pick a Maytag
This basic style of Filter-flo automatic washer, though not as well-engineered or as effective as it's progenitor, the AW-6, lasted for over 30 years. You can still find many in working condition. The mini-basket feature alone was marketed for over 25 years. Anyone in this organization would instantly recognize that backsplash, homely and humble as it is. It's a classic.
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Post# 449962 , Reply# 2 7/17/2010 at 08:15 (5,025 days old) by pulltostart (Mobile, AL) |
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| Post# 449968 , Reply# 3 7/17/2010 at 09:04 (5,025 days old) by xraytech (Rural southwest Pennsylvania ) | ||
I agree with the filter-flo being a classic,
When I think of a vintage washer, I immediately picture my grams 1966 TOL Filter-Flo, it lasted through 38 years of heavy use before needing replaced. Though I'm not a fan I tink the Maytag center dials are a classic too, everyone either had one or knew someone who did, I think it had a very simple understated design to the console as well as its high quality and reliability. | ||
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Post# 449985 , Reply# 5 7/17/2010 at 11:35 (5,025 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area) |
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Of course I agree the Maytag center dial and the GE Filter-Flo are true classics. Another is the Whirlpool and Kenmore 29" dryers with the top lint filter. These have been in continuous production (with some modifications) since around 1957. | ||
| Post# 449989 , Reply# 6 7/17/2010 at 12:09 (5,025 days old) by jaxsunst () | ||
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Kirby, enough said :-) | ||
| Post# 449991 , Reply# 7 7/17/2010 at 12:41 (5,025 days old) by xraytech (Rural southwest Pennsylvania ) | ||
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I also think any variation of the Kenmore Belt Drive and Direct Drive washers, Since purchasing things on time via your Sears credit everyone had them and everyone still has them.
Other Classics I think of, The square tub Maytag wringer, early GE P*7 ranges, the Frigidaire Flair, Hoover Convertibles, GE steam&dry iron, Westinghouse roaster oven, Sunbeam Mixmaster,really any Electrolux canister or Kirby(though to me the most noted in my past was the lux E and the Kirby Classic), though not an appliance its definetly a classic the chrome and formica dinette set | ||
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Post# 449999 , Reply# 8 7/17/2010 at 13:07 (5,025 days old) by polkanut (Wausau, WI ) |
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| Post# 450000 , Reply# 9 7/17/2010 at 13:16 (5,025 days old) by duet83 () | ||
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GE can opener from 1965 (in avacodo or candy pink, of course) and the large Nesco slow cookers. 
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| Post# 450102 , Reply# 11 7/17/2010 at 18:44 (5,025 days old) by rickr (.) | ||
I love most all the stuff from the 50's and 60's | ||
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Post# 450117 , Reply# 12 7/17/2010 at 20:38 (5,025 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie) |
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Post# 450120 , Reply# 13 7/17/2010 at 20:52 (5,025 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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An instant classic, recognized by millions?
Center dial Maytag's - hands down. While we as a small collective group can tell a Whirlpool from a GE from a Maytag and appreciate each for their distinctive qualities, almost everyone who is 40-80 knows a center dial on the washer to be a Maytag. Everyone either either grew up with one, or had an aunt or grandma with one. | ||
| Post# 450128 , Reply# 14 7/17/2010 at 22:19 (5,025 days old) by PeterH770 (Marietta, GA) | ||
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Post# 450151 , Reply# 15 7/18/2010 at 00:54 (5,025 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc) |
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Would have to choose these-Kirby vacuums,'Lux vacuums,Center dial Maytag,BD KN,WP.Hoover Convertible.Oster blenders,VM Blenders,Sunbeam Mixers,KA mixers. | ||
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Post# 450155 , Reply# 16 7/18/2010 at 01:10 (5,025 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!) |
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Post# 450211 , Reply# 18 7/18/2010 at 11:32 (5,024 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA) |
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Classic Laundry
I really tried to think this one through and there really isn't just one classic model or brand that sticks out to me. It really depends on how you look at it I suppose. I'd say Whirlpool/Kenmore definitely had a classic design that withstood time when it came to home laundry. Maytag most certainly made a name for themselves with the classic center-dial models and their very true claims of dependability. GE was also so well known for their filter-flo design that lasted just about as long as Whirlpool's belt-drive and Maytag's popular design.
As far as laundromats go however 3 designs truely stand out to me. Speed Queen has to be THE classic TL washing machine when it comes to commercial laundry. I'd say that Maytag and Speed Queen really cornered that market for many years and it was hard to find a laundromat with anything in it other than those two brands. GE had quite a few commercial machines out there too. I only remember one that had Kenmores. So I guess it depends on where you lived, where you did your laundry, and how much money you had. They are all classics now for sure. Jon | ||
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Post# 450264 , Reply# 19 7/18/2010 at 17:39 (5,024 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay) |
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I agree that the Westinghouse slant-front Laundromats are worthy of classic status.
Center dial Maytags are a given. They were the top rated machine in the U.S. for many years and their durability cannot be disputed. Machine for machine, I think there are more CD's out there to be had these days than any other brand manufactured concurrently with CD's, probably due in part to Maytags costing more, therefore more likely being repaired instead of replaced, and having a simple design that's generally easy to fix and less problem-prone. People don't usually buy a new washer unless their old one breaks, and Maytags just didn't break. | ||
| Post# 450273 , Reply# 20 7/18/2010 at 18:04 (5,024 days old) by washernoob () | ||
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Vacuums Canister. Electrolux, No doubt about it. Uprights. Hoover convertible. The most popular vacuum in america for almost 50 years. Probably the most iconic vacuum design ever. | ||
| Post# 450303 , Reply# 21 7/18/2010 at 19:28 (5,024 days old) by autowasherfreak () | ||
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Love that Kenmore Gansky! The lady that I used to clean for had one like that, she used to tick me off when she would overload out of laziness. | ||
| Post# 450356 , Reply# 28 7/18/2010 at 22:04 (5,024 days old) by washernoob () | ||
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Cool! Some people even wrapped the woven hoses in a plastic solution type stuff. Or even saran wrap! | ||
| Post# 450713 , Reply# 30 7/20/2010 at 12:59 (5,022 days old) by duet83 () | ||
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I think what finally turned me away from my electrolux canister is going to buy some bags. This was 2005. They changed the bags from their 4 ply bag to a single or two ply bag. | ||
| Post# 450747 , Reply# 31 7/20/2010 at 18:36 (5,022 days old) by supremewhirlpol () | ||
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What is a classic? A 1974 Wascomat W73!! 
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| Post# 450749 , Reply# 32 7/20/2010 at 18:37 (5,022 days old) by supremewhirlpol () | ||
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Or this machine 
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Post# 450761 , Reply# 33 7/20/2010 at 19:35 (5,022 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut) |
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Another idea of a classic.
You recognize the brand almost instantly, even before you read the label on the control panel. That font has lasted to today. That unique handle was in the center for years. Same with the control dial; unlike many competitors, they kept it on the bottom panel, because for most housewives, there was no need to touch it. The materials are solid, simple and durable. The ovate escutcheon stands out subtly inside of all of those rectangles. The only thing one could argue that dates this machine is the model label; a flourish distinguishing it a bit from its lesser sisters. This is a beautiful machine. Not only is it intrinsically reliable and well-built, its design reflects its high quality and gives it a timeless face. This dishwasher wouldn't look much out of place in a contemporary kitchen, especially if it were accessorized with a cabinet front panel. IMHO almost every KitchenAid dishwasher up until the 80's qualifies as a classic.
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Post# 450814 , Reply# 36 7/20/2010 at 23:18 (5,022 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!) |
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Post# 450815 , Reply# 37 7/20/2010 at 23:19 (5,022 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!) |
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Post# 450837 , Reply# 41 7/21/2010 at 00:24 (5,022 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area) |
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A few more Delta single-handle faucet (original style) Western Electric 500 & 2500 series phones (also made by ITT, Northern Telecom, and Stromberg-Carlson) GE C-7 & C-9 Christmas lights Hamilton Beach commercial milkshake machine | ||
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