From Hand Washing to High-Tech Washing Machines

We can now rely upon machines to not only clean our clothes but remove even stubborn stains. From manpower to electric power, simple timers to elaborate settings at the push of a button, the washing machine has evolved over the centuries.

Labor-Intensive
Though not a machine, the first leap in laundry came in 1797 with the development of the scrub board, which eased cleaning and sparked ideas for later inventors. In the decades that followed, patents for hand-powered washing machines began to appear in the middle of the 19th century. These first models would use a crank to agitate the clothes inside of a wooden tub and included a wringer that resembled a pasta maker to eliminate excess water.

Motor Powered
Electric- and gas-powered washers were discussed near the turn of the 20th century and were introduced into the U.S. shortly after. Motors were mounted in the open beneath the washer at first, but it would be years before they would be placed inside housing to prevent water from short circuiting the motor. Much like the designers of the hand-powered models, these early motorized washer inventors also experimented with their product. Belts, chains and gears were all tested to transfer power from the motor, which was also the subject of experimentation to find the best output.

Refinements
To ensure commercial success, developers continued to improve upon designs. Beatty Brothers of Fergus, Ontario, developed the first agitator washing machine, which included ribbed copper, nickel-plated tubs. Maytag would bring the agitator to the U.S., and later developments would cover the metal tub and its feet in enamel. As a sanitary measure, the copper and nickel were replaced with enamel-covered steel. The color of this enamel would and continues to change with style trends.

It was also in this time that vertical axises were introduced, which would eventually lead to top-loading washers.

By the 1950s, washers began to feature a spin-dry feature that replaced the wringer, and GE introduced a machine with buttons to control the temperature as well as agitation and spin speeds. Mechanical timers would be replaced by electric timers, and microcontrollers introduced in the 1990s would further improve accuracy.

Efficiency
With a greater environmental and energy-saving emphasis toward the beginning of the 21st century, companies began making more efficient washers that used less water and electricity. Some manufacturers have developed washers that use fractions of both. Many of these high efficiency washers have returned to the front loading, horizontal axis style with optional bases to raise the washer to hip level.

Other improvements save on physical labor. The addition of computerized systems eliminates much of the work in stain treating through refined settings and specific prewash options. These reduce pretreating that was once done by hand. Another development has been the inclusion of steam in the washing process. Steam not only helps to sanitarily clean clothing, it has the ability to eliminate allergens.

Colin McDonald writes on behalf Euronics – Bosch Washing Machine


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