thanks all you washer friends! I loved the pics and info that you all provided. yes the monitor mini wringer was one that I have never seen. the hoover mini wringer is also the one that is my holy grail! they have one in the national science museum the design was so simple and yet so functional. I have never seen a hoover mini wringer in my neck of the woods. like many people have told me,they weren't really that popular over here. I have seen many twin tubs in my time. I have 3 myself. around here they were only owned usually by folks who lived in apartments and had not other means of washing. The area I live in is in the appalacian region and quite poor. although things have changed a bit over the last 20 years in the essence of change the town has become more of a retirement community than a booming little farm community. well thanks for the great info! Bill