Hi all, I have just been informed that my Grandfather designed a washing machine in Crows Nest, Sydney, Australia, sometime between 1947-1949. My Uncle, over a resent phone conversation, said it was called what sounded like the "Launderoll", with a distinct'o'sound. My research has only turned up what seems to be an American machine called the Launderall. The only connection I have made so far is from this forum where in 2003 somebody called Chris, mentioned having a friend of a friend who had an Australian TL, manually operated tumble washer called a 'Launder-Roll'. I wonder, could this be the one? Being a post war washer, the Launderoll didn't really get off the ground due to poor quality parts which regularly needed repairing or replacing, (a job which my Uncle seemed to be lumped with, and loathed!). Apparently my Grandfather also designed the shape of the 'President' refridgerator and designed and built the machine used to remove the wrinkled metal on the curved corners.
Please, any info would be much appreciated as this is all I have. Linda
Post# 328662 , Reply# 1 2/4/2009 at 03:30 (5,553 days old) by gizmo(Victoria, Australia)
A friend of a friend did indeed have a machine that he called a Launderoll. I am not sure if it was a mis-pronounciation of Launderall or if it was a different machine. I have never seen the machine myself so I don't know. I'd imagine a very decorative script could have been hard to read if it was Launderall or Launderoll. I had decided it was probably the American machine, as I have never heard of a Launderoll before or since.
It intrigues me that your uncle pronounced it Launderoll. If your grandfather did design a machine here, it would not have been a Launderall, as they were an American design. So it probably was a Launderoll after all.
I have long since lost contact with the owner of that machine, but I still know how to contact the mutual friend, though we haven't caught up for years.
Can you possibly ask your uncle for more details? I'd love to know more.
I can chase up if my "friend of a friend" still has the machine, but it was years ago so I'd have my doubts.
Hi Chris, My uncle is working on a little history/story recall re the Launder roll and it's debut in Toowoomba, QLD; I'll send on the details as soon as he sends them on to me. Linda
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