Washing machines & dryers
Mid 1930s - First Automatic Washing Machine
John W. Chamberlain invents a device that enables a machine to wash, rinse, and extract water from clothes in a single operation. This eliminated the need for tedious and often dangerous powered wringer rolls on top of previous machines.
John W. Chamberlain invents a device that enables a machine to wash, rinse, and extract water from clothes in a single operation. This eliminated the need for tedious and often dangerous powered wringer rolls on top of previous machines.
1935 - First Clothes Dryer
J. Ross Moore builds an oil-heated drum in a shed next to his house to assist his mother in the clothes drying process. Hanging clothes out to dry took a long period of time, so he invented a new method. The first patented dryers ran on gas or electricity, but he was forced to sell the design to the Hamilton Manufacturing Company the following year due to financial difficulties.
J. Ross Moore builds an oil-heated drum in a shed next to his house to assist his mother in the clothes drying process. Hanging clothes out to dry took a long period of time, so he invented a new method. The first patented dryers ran on gas or electricity, but he was forced to sell the design to the Hamilton Manufacturing Company the following year due to financial difficulties.
1947 - First top-loading washing machines
Introduced by the Whirlpool Corporation. General Electric also made claims that it made a similar machine during this period.
Introduced by the Whirlpool Corporation. General Electric also made claims that it made a similar machine during this period.
1950s - First Twin Tub System
The twin-tub design of washers that we see today was first introduced. This model presented one tub for the cleaning and rinsing operations, and another tub for the tumble dry process. This setup reduced the costs of automatic washing machines, which also made it more accessible to the public and to most households.
The twin-tub design of washers that we see today was first introduced. This model presented one tub for the cleaning and rinsing operations, and another tub for the tumble dry process. This setup reduced the costs of automatic washing machines, which also made it more accessible to the public and to most households.
1990s-Present - Environmentally friendly washers and dryers
Environmentally friendly washers and dryers that save water and conserve energy are introduced. They include a washer which tumbles the clothes and uses a smaller amount of water. They also include a dryer with sensors that shuts the appliance off when the clothes are dry instead of a timer.
Environmentally friendly washers and dryers that save water and conserve energy are introduced. They include a washer which tumbles the clothes and uses a smaller amount of water. They also include a dryer with sensors that shuts the appliance off when the clothes are dry instead of a timer.