POD 8/18/2017

Ohhh yes!

GE, Hotpoint and several others sold domestic "ironer presses". Consumer Reports tested and rated the GE version in the 1950's and maybe even 1940's.

We've discussed these flat plate ironers here in the group several times in past. A member or more actually own the very thing, or similar. We have a Hurley "Press-O-Matic, which as made from the 1950's into 1960's maybe longer. The other common brand was Spartan. Also have an Elnapress from Germany.

Important thing to remember is that there is a difference between "pressing" and "ironing". These laundry presses did just that; smoothed fabric by applying pressure, while the heat dried/created steam to fix the results.

Ironing is a back and forth smoothing movement or one way in case of ironers, but also tension/smoothing is applied either from the hand not holding iron, or depending upon how a machine grips laundry as it enters the ironer.

This difference matters because depending what is being ironed results are better with pressing versus ironing, or vice versa.

Commercial laundries or presses have various parts or things that can be used to apply tension to whatever is being pressed. This smoothing things out so results are better.

www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/T...

You can read specs for GE's flat plate ironer and other laundry equipment here:
archive.org/stream/GeneralElectr...

Anyway the idea behind these presses was to mimic the larger commercial laundry presses that had been in use since early part of last century.

For certain items a press is actually better than using an ironer. Woolens and things you don't want a shine (as what comes with ironing) can be "pressed" on these machines quite easily. This means jackets, trousers, skirts, and even blocking wool sweaters is rather easy.

Because these presses exert great force you can do several layers of textiles at once. Even better only have to press one or two sides (the latter really only if doing something folded into fourths).

www.jitterbuzz.com/other_ironers....

www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/v...

You can see how to "iron" with a flat plate ironer/laundry press here:

Maddening thing about using a press instead of a rotary iron is the series of "lays" required to get the job done. Obviously on a commercial press with a large buck doing big things only requires a few movements. However on the smaller domestic presses you either have to fold things to fit width of buck, or move them about in order for each section to be pressed properly.

Beauty of the GE "motorized" press is that like commercial units it was foot controlled. This left both hands free to position/smooth whatever is being pressed. However in any instance extreme care must be used to avoid hands and arms coming into contact with the hot shoe.

This is the Blanca Press which is sold in Europe. It has the largest "buck" of domestic laundry presses, and it is rectangular. This makes doing flatwork easier than say an Elnapress.


Forum Topics & Rules Manuals & Literature	New users Click-here to sign-up

Post# 953348 8/18/2017 at 03:59 (2,436 days old) by brucelucenta ()
Checkrate/Likes I am not certain of the year of this advertisement. This is one of GE's first automatic washers and the dryer looks suspiciously like a Hamilton of that vintage, but I am not certain. I don't recall seeing a flat hot head press like this one before. All heavy built machines I am sure and worked well doing their job. Unimatic1140 could tell more about these exact models and the year.

Post# 953356 , Reply# 1 8/18/2017 at 06:11 (2,436 days old) by Easyspindry (Winston-Salem, NC)
Checkrate/Likes *I have used . . .* . . . one of these flat plate ironers. One would place the clothing or whatever was to be ironed on the covered flat board spreading it out fairly smooth. Then you pull the hot iron over the board. A motor would come on lifting the board upward against the hot iron. The motor would continue to run causing high pressure on the clothing and kind of sucking the moisture out of the fabric. The moisture would collect in a jar underneath the machine to be emptied after the ironing session. The handle on the iron is connected to a switch, and once you're ready to release the iron, that handle could be slightly cocked to the right, thus releasing the pressure and turning off the motor. At that point, the board would lower for the operator to rearrange the fabric for the next pressure iron. Personally, I much preferred the Ironrite method of ironing. Jerry Gay

Post# 953359 , Reply# 2 8/18/2017 at 06:50 (2,436 days old) by taurn67 ()
Checkrate/Likes 2 *question* do you set your alarm to be the first to comment on the POD every day?

Post# 953360 , Reply# 3 8/18/2017 at 07:08 (2,436 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)
Checkrate/Likes Even 3 A.M. is when I see the P.O.D. change, and I always tune in then... -- Dave

Post# 953361 , Reply# 4 8/18/2017 at 07:20 (2,436 days old) by Helicaldrive (St. Louis)
Checkrate/Likes 7 *I look forward* to Bruce's comments on the POD. It's disappointing, just not right -- something is missing when he does not comment. Seriously. Not being sarcastic.

Post# 953369 , Reply# 5 8/18/2017 at 08:27 (2,436 days old) by brucelucenta ()
Checkrate/Likes Probably the fact that I am a geezer and can remember most of the machines in the POD. I have made automatic washers my interest since I could walk and talk and remember most of them. My POD post is fixing to change though, since my hours at work are going from morning to nights starting next week.

Post# 953373 , Reply# 6 8/18/2017 at 08:43 (2,436 days old) by hippiedoll ( arizona )
Checkrate/Likes 3 *I also enjoy* Bruce's P.O.D. comments as well and I look forward to them every time I see an interesting appliance pictured that I'm curious about. Good luck with the time changes at work Bruce! And I hope you'll still continue to comment & share your experiences & knowledge with all the different appliances that get posted in the P.O.D., even if someone else starts the thread. I love reading your comments & what you have to say! :o)

Post# 953375 , Reply# 7 8/18/2017 at 08:56 (2,436 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
Checkrate/Likes 1 The exact washer shown in today's POD was never actually marketed. This is from a 1945 or so GE promotional brochure. I'm pretty sure those are prototype or test machines. The actual washer that came out in 1947 was similar to to this, but looked slightly different, same with the dryer. As for the Ironer I have no idea.

Post# 953391 , Reply# 8 8/18/2017 at 09:56 (2,436 days old) by brucelucenta ()
Checkrate/Likes One of my many stories...back in about 1970 or there abouts, I remember a second hand place that had an old GE that looked similar to this one pictured. I didn't really pay much attention to it, since it looked so very plain and old. It didn't really interest me at the time, since I was all about lights, knobs, buttons and flash!

Post# 953422 , Reply# 9 8/18/2017 at 13:12 (2,436 days old) by Gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)
Checkrate/Likes 3 Bruce, as flat-tops went, you couldn't beat a Unimatic for action! I hardly paid a bit of attention to anything else back in the day! Please keep up the commentary,irregardless of time of day!

Post# 953460 , Reply# 10 8/18/2017 at 18:52 (2,435 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)
Checkrate/Likes 1 Say it ain't so, Bruce! I'm up by 4:30 every morning--sometimes a little earlier--and always look forward to your POD threads.

Post# 953465 , Reply# 12 8/18/2017 at 19:35 (2,435 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There�s a Lady on Stage)
Checkrate/Likes *Forgot to mention* Consumer Reports reviews of GE flat plate ironers was rather "Meh". They gave good enough results on some items, but the constant moving/positioning of items dragged down ratings.

Post# 953463 , Reply# 11 8/18/2017 at 19:33 (2,435 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There�s a Lady on Stage)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *GE Flat Plate Ironers* Ohhh yes! GE, Hotpoint and several others sold domestic "ironer presses". Consumer Reports tested and rated the GE version in the 1950's and maybe even 1940's. We've discussed these flat plate ironers here in the group several times in past. A member or more actually own the very thing, or similar. We have a Hurley "Press-O-Matic, which as made from the 1950's into 1960's maybe longer. The other common brand was Spartan. Also have an Elnapress from Germany. Important thing to remember is that there is a difference between "pressing" and "ironing". These laundry presses did just that; smoothed fabric by applying pressure, while the heat dried/created steam to fix the results. Ironing is a back and forth smoothing movement or one way in case of ironers, but also tension/smoothing is applied either from the hand not holding iron, or depending upon how a machine grips laundry as it enters the ironer. This difference matters because depending what is being ironed results are better with pressing versus ironing, or vice versa. Commercial laundries or presses have various parts or things that can be used to apply tension to whatever is being pressed. This smoothing things out so results are better. www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/T... You can read specs for GE's flat plate ironer and other laundry equipment here: archive.org/stream/GeneralElectr... Anyway the idea behind these presses was to mimic the larger commercial laundry presses that had been in use since early part of last century. For certain items a press is actually better than using an ironer. Woolens and things you don't want a shine (as what comes with ironing) can be "pressed" on these machines quite easily. This means jackets, trousers, skirts, and even blocking wool sweaters is rather easy. Because these presses exert great force you can do several layers of textiles at once. Even better only have to press one or two sides (the latter really only if doing something folded into fourths). www.jitterbuzz.com/other_ironers.... www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/v... You can see how to "iron" with a flat plate ironer/laundry press here: Maddening thing about using a press instead of a rotary iron is the series of "lays" required to get the job done. Obviously on a commercial press with a large buck doing big things only requires a few movements. However on the smaller domestic presses you either have to fold things to fit width of buck, or move them about in order for each section to be pressed properly. Beauty of the GE "motorized" press is that like commercial units it was foot controlled. This left both hands free to position/smooth whatever is being pressed. However in any instance extreme care must be used to avoid hands and arms coming into contact with the hot shoe. This is the Blanca Press which is sold in Europe. It has the largest "buck" of domestic laundry presses, and it is rectangular. This makes doing flatwork easier than say an Elnapress.

Post# 953478 , Reply# 13 8/18/2017 at 22:12 (2,435 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)
Checkrate/Likes I have this GE booklet, from about 45-46. Promotional advice from GE for planning your new kitchen and laundry. Also have one from Hotpoint that has some really bizarre looking laundry machines. All conceptual drawings, none of them were ever produced but they sure must have looked futuristic and dreamy in an era of wonder and invention.