The first agitator, automatic washer, picture of the day

IIRC, the first Blackstone was the model 50, available sometime in 1941 before the start of the war. Once production started back up, post-War, the model designation switched over to the 50A and was replaced by the 150 by the late 40's/early 50's.

GE documented their production date ranges for the AW6 machines, putting the first AW6A1 in production March of 1947. GM Frigidaire wasn't far behind in the early fall of '47, along with Thor and I believe Apex around the same time.

ABC introduced their automatic in 1949, similarly to when Maytag introduced theirs. The dual motor Beam iteration of the first Hotpoint washer was also introduced in January of 1949, with subsequent Beam related brands also beginning production around that time (with SQ in late '52 and Easy in '54).

Norge was one of the last to introduce their top load washer, in 1952. I'm not counting the Bendix Economat, as it's mostly a glorified Maytag Model E2 mechanism with a rubber tub.

As for Whirlpool/Sears - wasn't the first iteration of their non bolt down automatic introduced in 1949? I've also not seen any actual documentation from either Whirlpool or Sears dated before '49, in relation to an automatic washer.

Ben

Photos... < > Photo 1 of 2 View Full Size


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Post# 1181907 6/6/2023 at 10:37 (332 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)
Checkrate/Likes 1 Blackstone was apparently first with the model 150, the picture of the day. Who was second? I�m guessing it was whirlpool in 1947 but not sure. I know GE came soon after in 48, and I believe Maytag in 49 Not sure when Kelvinator ABC O-Matic came out with theirs, John

Post# 1181920 , Reply# 1 6/6/2023 at 13:27 (332 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)
Checkrate/Likes 2 *early topload Automatics* IIRC, the first Blackstone was the model 50, available sometime in 1941 before the start of the war. Once production started back up, post-War, the model designation switched over to the 50A and was replaced by the 150 by the late 40's/early 50's. GE documented their production date ranges for the AW6 machines, putting the first AW6A1 in production March of 1947. GM Frigidaire wasn't far behind in the early fall of '47, along with Thor and I believe Apex around the same time. ABC introduced their automatic in 1949, similarly to when Maytag introduced theirs. The dual motor Beam iteration of the first Hotpoint washer was also introduced in January of 1949, with subsequent Beam related brands also beginning production around that time (with SQ in late '52 and Easy in '54). Norge was one of the last to introduce their top load washer, in 1952. I'm not counting the Bendix Economat, as it's mostly a glorified Maytag Model E2 mechanism with a rubber tub. As for Whirlpool/Sears - wasn't the first iteration of their non bolt down automatic introduced in 1949? I've also not seen any actual documentation from either Whirlpool or Sears dated before '49, in relation to an automatic washer. Ben Photos... < > Photo 1 of 2 View Full Size

Post# 1181921 , Reply# 2 6/6/2023 at 14:25 (332 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *I have a bolt down Kenmore with several parts in it* Dated in 1947 It has an electric suds return pump dated in 1947 and the inlet valve. I still would like to get around to restoring this very early Kenmore John

Post# 1182009 , Reply# 3 6/7/2023 at 11:06 (331 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
Checkrate/Likes 1 CU and CR was able to get ahold of and reported on the Automagic Thor in March of 1947, and the Kenmore in May 1948.