Thread Number: 89319  /  Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
Pre-war automatics
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Post# 1139163   1/12/2022 at 22:37 (806 days old) by Classiccaprice (Hampton, Virginia)        

classiccaprice's profile picture
So, imagine it's 1941, your well off and you decide to buy an automatic washer and clothes dryer? What are your options? Do they match?

I know Bendix, Westinghouse and Blackstone all had prewar automatic washers. Did anyone else?





Post# 1139166 , Reply# 1   1/12/2022 at 23:35 (806 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        

launderess's profile picture
Don't believe there were many automatics by 1941. Bendix and few others, but market was still heavily dominated by semi-automatics (wringer and twin tub) washers.

FDR issued the call for America to be an "arsenal of democracy in late part of 1941. As such nation's manufacturers responded by ceasing production of consumer goods, and began tooling up for war production. Once entry of US into WWII was official production of non war goods (including appliances) was limited (rationing) if not stopped for duration.

gdonna.com/living-like-the-past/l...

IIRC manufacturers could still invest in R&D for new products and machines, hence the boom in all sorts of appliances that came in post WWII years.

If you can find copy of Consumers Union (eventually became Consumers Reports), from 1940 and 1941, should likely find details on what laundry appliances were on offer.


Post# 1139171 , Reply# 2   1/13/2022 at 01:50 (806 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)        

bradfordwhite's profile picture
If you were "well off" you most likely had servants or a service to do the laundry.

Post# 1139181 , Reply# 3   1/13/2022 at 05:27 (805 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Once war effort began in earnest

launderess's profile picture
Servants of all sorts often became difficult to find. War work opened up tons of jobs for women. Far more exciting going to work in a factory or something than cleaning someone's home.

Women also were joining WACS, WAVES, and other forces, nursing corps, etc...

Men of course were either being drafted or signed up.

Actually WWII time was one of last big hey days for laundry services. With so many women working outside the home, servants (including laundresses), hard to find, and new (or old) washing machines, ditto, sending things out to laundry seemed easiest option.


Feminists often complain that post WWII boom years that saw huge push of women to return back into homes, also saddled them again with laundry duty. Sure all the new automatic washing machines, tumble dryers, and even ironers made job easier than say using wringer washer, but they didn't load and unload themselves.

Maytag and other manufacturers ran adverts for duration of WWII and bit after telling housewives and others they should be "patient" waiting for new washers to be available. This and via adverts and other means those with washing machines (along with other appliances) were asked (or told) to take care of what they had to keep it going for duration.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/223465058975QUE...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/363643147500QUE...

Thing also to remember is while majority of homes wired for electricity by 1941 had some sort of washing machine, there were still many areas of USA that were off grid so to speak. Many didn't have indoor plumbing, central heating/hot water, and rest of what was needed for an automatic washing machine. That would have depressed sales. Semi automatics could be another matter.

It wouldn't be until the major infrastructure build out of post WWII era that electricity came to many rural areas of country.

Other worry for automatics was the housing shortage, and fact many lived in urban areas in multifamily housing. The post WWII rush to suburbs with new homes that had all mod cons was a boon for appliance sales.

Maytag's first automatic washing machine was launched in 1949.

Whirlpool (then still 1900 Corporation) launched their first fully automatic washing machine in 1948.

www.whirlpoolcorp.com/wp-...

General Electric came out with AW6, their first fully automatic washing machine in 1947. www.automaticwasher.org/c...

So we see none of the "big three" had fully automatic washing machines prior to WWII.

Bendix started selling their fully automatic washer in 1937, but by 1941 they were only in < 2% of American homes.

evolutionhomeappliances.weebly.c...


Post# 1139188 , Reply# 4   1/13/2022 at 10:34 (805 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture
There were rumours of a Canadian-built Beatty automatic washer that was around in 1940. I have only ever seen an archive picture of the machine being demonstrated at some kind of a convention in Atlanta, Georgia - if the machine made it into production, it wasn't made for long as Beatty jumped to wartime production. It was well into the 1950s before the Beatty Brothers factory in Ontario actually made a name for themselves building automatics for the Canadian market.

Post# 1139197 , Reply# 5   1/13/2022 at 11:25 (805 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)        

bradfordwhite's profile picture

Laundress, thanks for the info. 

 

He did say PRE-war.

 

Why one is specifically concerned about that particular point in time.....?  Whatever.  1977 would be more interesting to me.


Post# 1139205 , Reply# 6   1/13/2022 at 12:11 (805 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)        
RE Reply #5

Maybe it depends on your age and appreciation of history. I remember the machines mentioned. I have seen them in homes and I have seen ads for them in magazines. I knew the people who owned them. I was too young to do more than look and ask to be lifted up to look inside, etc. I wish that I knew how to read when mom's home economist friend came by the house and tried to convince her to buy a Duomatic. She had the book open, but I could not read yet and I knew better than to touch a book without permission. There were a lot of really neat independent engineering ideas in the late 30s and early 40s, but most of that vanished when inventors and engineers got defense jobs and never returned to their abandoned workshops.

Post# 1139254 , Reply# 7   1/13/2022 at 15:30 (805 days old) by classiccaprice (Hampton, Virginia)        

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Its more I'm curious what automatic washers were available just before the war. Just doing a little research and was curious. I appreciate the "firsts" info Launderess, that may come in handy later.

Post# 1139264 , Reply# 8   1/13/2022 at 17:52 (805 days old) by lotsosudz (Sacramento, CA)        
A hundred years of history

lotsosudz's profile picture
Before they bastardized, and destroyed all the quality, they ever stood for! They wull never produce a product, I would stand behind ever again!
Hugs
David


Post# 1139266 , Reply# 9   1/13/2022 at 18:10 (805 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        

launderess's profile picture
"Its more I'm curious what automatic washers were available just before the war."

Ok then, short answer to your query is nil to none... Bendix and maybe one or two smaller outfits (cannot find mention anywhere in off cuff research), but that was far as things went automatic washing machine wise in US market.

Bendix tied up a number of patents, not just for H-axis washing machines but other bits you need for a fully automatic washing machine.

One of largest issues of course were timers. That device is the brains of any automatic washing machine, and without you've got nothing more than semi. You also need transmissions and motors that (hopefully) would be permanently self lubricating, out of balance sensors/devices, pumps....

By timers one means the whole thing, cams, motors, etc... everything we associate with fully automatic washing machines seen say post WWII.

patents.google.com/patent/US2561...

www.freepatentsonline.com...

You also needed "spin drying" capability, something patents early as late 1930's claim to have sorted.

www.casemine.com/judgemen...

These and other bits were clearly being worked on by various manufacturers, inventors and others all in aim of coming up with fully automatic washing machines.

Bendix shook things up with their front loader that was fully automatic, just as in similar way semi-automatics with spin driers instead of mangles.

There was a steady drum beat from consumer groups, women's publications by say middle to late 1930's condemning power wringer washers. But many women didn't warm to twin tubs, and couldn't have a Bendix because they needed bolting to solid foundation.







Post# 1139271 , Reply# 10   1/13/2022 at 18:45 (805 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        

launderess's profile picture
Other part of puzzle was what one has already stated, huge numbers of American homes lacked electricity, indoor plumbing, central heating and hot water even late as 1940.

Without proper plumbing (including water coming out of taps at proper pressure), and electricity fully automatic washing machines were useless.

livinghistoryfarm.org/farmingint...

www.aceee.org/files/proce...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rural_Elec...

There was also something else going on...

Makers of washing machines of all sorts were in battle against two forces, laundresses and commercial laundries.

Laundry for centuries was one of the first household chores anyone who could afford either sent out, or hired someone else to do it.

From huge steam laundries to "French Hand Laundries" there was quite a market going after household's laundry. These services in turn picked on laundresses as "ignorant" "dangerous", "lazy", etc.... Owners of laundries were politically active enough to get local laws passed basically outlawing what had been a common practice for ages; women taking in washing done in their private homes).

With spread of electricity and arrival of washing machines (semi automatic or whatever), by 1930's makers of washers began a PR campaign of their own to sell product. They preyed upon a housewife's fears of disease and contagion to get her to do laundry in her own home. Besides it was "free labor". Well it wasn't but no one thought much of women's time and so forth back then anyway.

www.washingtonpost.com/lo...

So you see there isn't just one answer to your query, a coming together of various forces brought about invention then wide spread adoption of fully automatic washing machines.

In contrast semi-automatic and even doing wash still by hand dominated large parts of Europe post WWII well into 1950's or beyond.














Post# 1139289 , Reply# 11   1/13/2022 at 21:47 (805 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area)        

My grandparent's home in rural southern Mississippi didn't get electricity until around 1948, and at that time an electric water pump was installed. My mom spoke of her mother doing laundry up until that time in wash tubs, and a big iron cauldron (witch's pot) if it needed boiling. They got a GE wringer machine as soon as the facilities were available to run it, but water still had to be heated on the stove, as no water heater was installed until the late 60's.

Post# 1139296 , Reply# 12   1/14/2022 at 06:51 (804 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)        

I don't know the purpose of your research, but true research involves going to primary sources. Launderess's information is correct, but without citations to title, volume, number and page of print resources describing or discussing brands and model numbers, it's not going to be accepted by any reputable publication or historical organization. You need to use a large research or public library, find the back issues of consumer testing and shelter magazines from the late 30s into 1942 to get the information you desire, then check the indexes for the following years to look for followup information. The positive side of this is that if you like to read, it is enjoyable research.

Post# 1139310 , Reply# 13   1/14/2022 at 09:12 (804 days old) by Classiccaprice (Hampton, Virginia)        

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It's more informal than anything. Curiosity if another manufacturer had an automatic before the war other than Bendix, Westinghouse, Blackstone and potentially Beatty now.

Post# 1139311 , Reply# 14   1/14/2022 at 09:12 (804 days old) by Classiccaprice (Hampton, Virginia)        

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I appreciate all the assistance.

Post# 1139315 , Reply# 15   1/14/2022 at 09:59 (804 days old) by kd12 (Arkansas)        
Jacobs Launderall

Curious if anyone knows whether Jacobs started before the war. The earliest mention I can find for their Launderall is 1947, but the machine design really has a pre-war look to it, like a Bendix.

Post# 1139320 , Reply# 16   1/14/2022 at 10:26 (804 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

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Here's an old thread about a pre-war Westinghouse:

www.automaticwasher.org/c...



Post# 1139322 , Reply# 17   1/14/2022 at 11:15 (804 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O )        

petek's profile picture
Being as Westinghouse was the fiercest over all competitor of General Electric for decades into the 1940's and 50's where were they in the laundry fray? Anywhere, nowhere?

Post# 1139356 , Reply# 18   1/14/2022 at 19:24 (804 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        

launderess's profile picture
Like nearly everyone and their mother, yes Westinghouse had washing machines pre-WWII era.

www.automaticwasher.org/c...

In 1939 North Carolina a Westinghouse wringer washer new set you back a whopping $59.95 USD


Old thread from archives showing what was on appliance market in 1939:

www.automaticwasher.org/c...


Back to Westinghouse...

Bit from link posted above by Moi..

"Westinghouse began touting the features of automatic washers and building demand in 1944, before it even had machines to sell. It had test-marketed the “Laundromat” model before the war and began to advertise this machine that “fills itself with water, washes, rinses, spins the clothes amazingly dry, and then shuts itself off.” No more filling the washer from the taps; starting, monitoring, and stopping the machine; lifting heavy wet clothes to run them through a ringer or move them to another tub; rinsing again; and wringing again (Strasser, 1982, pp. 267-269). The second picture below shows a 1945 ad for the Westinghouse Laundromat with makes reference to the military, "When mother's little helpers make a mess of K.P....you need a Westinghouse Laundromat."

Now here's the kicker..

Apparently Westinghouse did indeed have a fully automatic H-axis washer on market early as 1939. Production ceased rather quickly due to ramp up of war effort. When allowed to resume appliance production Westinghouse didn't want bother of coping with older "Laundromat" washers, so offered people generous trade in terms.

IIRC key thing about Westinghouse's washer was unlike Bendix models it not require bolting down to floor.

www.automaticwasher.org/c...

Westinghouse advertised their "new" Laundromat automatic washers heavily in many markets during WWII years. This again even though they did not have a single appliance to sell. It was all about building demand.

www.ghostofthedoll.co.uk/...

At least one lucky member managed to nab a 1940 Laundromat washer.

www.automaticwasher.org/c...




Post# 1139361 , Reply# 19   1/14/2022 at 21:11 (804 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Why Pre WWII period?

launderess's profile picture
Well off top of one's head late 1930's to before war broke out were interesting across many areas of appliances.

Electrification of areas was spreading, thus homes had power to run all sorts of these new mod cons.

As one has stated already laundry was still back breaking work even with semi-automatic washers. More to point power wringers could be dangerous.

Yes, semi automatic washing machines did allow the Missus (or whoever was doing laundry) a bit more freedom from hard work, but she (or he) was still tied to being around washer, shifting water into and out of machine, handling wet laundry, etc.

Fully automatic washing machines were next logical step for consumer market.

This German television commercial for Constructa washer tells tale.

One woman tells and shows her friend how washer is fully automatic; just load wash, shut door, turn on power, choose cycle, and press "start". Oh and of course put detergent/soap in dispenser... Then Madame or Frau in this case was free to go off and do other things. Come back when machine was done to find laundry washed, rinsed, spun dry and ready for ironing or drying (line or machine). This was nearly every housewife's dream.





Much as one likes our Maytag wringer and Hoover TT, wouldn't want to be saddled with either as only option on wash day.

Cleary by sometime in 1930's and certainly into 1940's many minds were thinking alike. One only has to look at patents filed during those decades (and afterwards) for inventions that would become fully automatic washing machines, and or later refinements.

In their own way both Westinghouse and Bendix contributed greatly to demand for fully automatic washing machines post WWII era. Via "Laundromats" (yes, proper noun because of Westinghouse", and Launderettes people not just in USA but Europe, military, etc... got to experience fully automatic washing machines. This helped push demand for domestic machines top or H-axis. People just wanted to be free from hard work that came with wash day, even with semi-automatic washers.



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Post# 1139372 , Reply# 20   1/14/2022 at 23:33 (804 days old) by classiccaprice (Hampton, Virginia)        

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Great info Launderess, thank you!

Post# 1139389 , Reply# 21   1/15/2022 at 07:52 (803 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        

launderess's profile picture
Here is original patent for Westinghouse front loader of early 1940's (filed in 1938).

Reading though gives you an idea of just what is (or was) involved in creating an automatic washing machine. Since these patents long have expired (CBS had them last), many from various manufacturers have been referenced or picked up by appliance makers today. LG Electronics apparently nosed around this Westinghouse patent bank in 2002 for their front loaders.

www.freepatentsonline.com...


Post# 1139409 , Reply# 22   1/15/2022 at 13:32 (803 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

eurekastar's profile picture

My Dad grew up in a house with no electricity or running water.  They didn't get electricity until he graduated from high school in 1953.  Even a gas powered Maytag wringer would have been a huge blessing, but my Grandmother used a good old fashioned washtub for many years after they got electricity!


Post# 1139444 , Reply# 23   1/15/2022 at 16:34 (803 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area)        

My dad's father and stepmother lived in town, so he always lived in a house with electricity and hot and cold running water, from the time he was born in 1912. A few years after he graduated and left, they moved to a farm about three miles out of town to raise turkeys. There were no utilities there, so at first they installed a Delco light plant that produced 32 volts. It had a generator that charged batteries. Evidently it wasn't large enough to suit their needs, so a generator that produced 115 volts- I think an Onan - was installed. Sometime around 1946, utility power was available on that road, but about that time they moved back into town.


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