Thread Number: 77410  /  Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
TODAYS POD
[Down to Last]

automaticwasher.org's exclusive eBay Watch:
scroll >>> for more items --- [As an eBay Partner, eBay may compensate automaticwasher.org if you make a purchase using any link to eBay on this page]
Post# 1013871   11/9/2018 at 05:06 (1,966 days old) by frigidaireguy (Wiston-Salem, NC)        

I have this Duomatic - Does a nice job of washing but the drum is just too small for drying.

Bob





Post# 1013876 , Reply# 1   11/9/2018 at 06:05 (1,966 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)        

Interesting ad. So in 1959, Philco was still marketing the front loading washer.

 

We had the last model of this machine, the hi-speed non-vented model. The blower really sped up the drying because of the way the air was forced not only through the drum, but also through the condenser. Lightweight fabrics like sheets and perma press shirts dried quickly and crinkle free. Towels, naturally, took longer.

 

Just for the record, this POD is the model CE-792 and the date of the POS is 11-9-18




This post was last edited 11/09/2018 at 10:47
Post# 1013879 , Reply# 2   11/9/2018 at 06:53 (1,966 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Down Sized Philco-Bendix Combo

combo52's profile picture

It was a shame they go to 29" cabinet so they wouldn't have to reduce the capacity so much, or they should have kept building both sizes.

 

Clothes dryer drums need to be 4 CF or larger to do a good job on larger items, this is just simple physics if you want to dry adult sized clothing.

 

John L.


Post# 1013881 , Reply# 3   11/9/2018 at 07:43 (1,966 days old) by Helicaldrive (St. Louis)        
Inflation

$370 in 1959 is $3150 today!

Even a pair of TOL SQs don’t cost that much today. I tend to think those heavy cabinets, porcelain, chrome and backlighting were just a freebie of the times, but consumers had to pay for those frills.

No wonder why people got so excited about a new washer and dryer back then. A TOL set cost almost as much as a new car. Not to mention how exciting it must have been eliminating the drudgery of wringer washing and hanging clothes outside to dry — not because one wanted to on a nice day, but rather because one always had to.

It would be so nice if we could recapture some of that postwar optimism and enthusiasm today. I always begin my day with the POD because they were so upbeat in the day.


Post# 1013883 , Reply# 4   11/9/2018 at 08:15 (1,966 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        
1959, Philco was still marketing the front loading washer

swestoyz's profile picture
That's a great question, Tom. In my research, from what I can tell the last model number Philco references for a front loading washer (gyro) was the 1958 model year. Robert posted a 1962 version of the Laundry Parts catalog that confirms this. The back of the 1958 Duomatic brochures shows an illustration of what the front loading '58 model would have looked like; otherwise I don't believe any other photos have surfaced.

Not sure if this is a case where the marketing dept wasn't aware of product line changes before putting an ad to print, but it could be an early ad that was thrown together before all the T's and I's were crossed and dotted.

Ben


Post# 1013891 , Reply# 5   11/9/2018 at 10:51 (1,966 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)        

Thanks for the info, Ben.  The ads says they were offering 32 models in their laundry line. That's a lot, but it was a shame to lose that front loader.


Post# 1013918 , Reply# 6   11/9/2018 at 15:47 (1,966 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        

launderess's profile picture
"No wonder why people got so excited about a new washer and dryer back then.

Yes, there was a time when "major appliances" were just that, a really big deal. Now "white goods" though still classified as such are barely that.

In the old days there was a good market for second hand washers and dryers. Just as with that I Love Lucy episode people were thrilled when someone gave them their old washer(and or dryer) second hand because new cost so much.

The "cheapening" of white goods is what prompted many players to leave the market, and or the waves of acquisitions, bankruptcies and so forth that consolidated the industry.

After the pent up demand from WWII era and afterwards tapered off, appliance manufacturers had to rely on the two same customer bases they pretty much do today; new households and replacement of broken.



Forum Index:       Other Forums:                      



Comes to the Rescue!

The Discuss-o-Mat has stopped, buzzer is sounding!!!
If you would like to reply to this thread please log-in...

Discuss-O-MAT Log-In



New Members
Click Here To Sign Up.



                     


automaticwasher.org home
Discuss-o-Mat Forums
Vintage Brochures, Service and Owners Manuals
Fun Vintage Washer Ephemera
See It Wash!
Video Downloads
Audio Downloads
Picture of the Day
Patent of the Day
Photos of our Collections
The Old Aberdeen Farm
Vintage Service Manuals
Vintage washer/dryer/dishwasher to sell?
Technical/service questions?
Looking for Parts?
Website related questions?
Digital Millennium Copyright Act Policy
Our Privacy Policy