History of Things
The Electric Raccoon-Washer, or How the Washing Machine Was Born
or How the Washing Machine Was Born
For centuries, humanity battled dirt by hand, using alkaline solutions, ribbed boards, rollers, and considerable physical strength. But with the development of mechanized labor, the difficult profession of laundress became a thing of the past.
Washing machine advertisement in the USA in the 1930s
- The first mechanized washing devices appeared in the late 18th–early 19th centuries. Essentially, these were tubs with various rollers inside that were operated by a hand lever. The mechanism was primitive and reproduced the algorithm of hand washing.
- In 1851, American inventor James King created a mechanism that truly resembled a modern washing machine. It was a wooden barrel with a rotating perforated drum inside, with manual drive. William Blackstone's machine (1874) was also manual, which went down in history as the first household washing machine mass-produced for sale.
- In 1851, American inventor James King created a mechanism that truly resembled a modern washing machine. It was a wooden barrel with a rotating perforated drum inside, with manual drive. William Blackstone's machine (1874) was also manual, which went down in history as the first household washing machine mass-produced for sale.
- Year after year, washing machines became more sophisticated. In the 1920s, wooden tubs lined with sheet copper gave way to enameled steel tubs. In the 1930s, machines got mechanical timers and drain pumps with electric motors.
- And the first automatic machine appeared for sale in America in 1947. The machine had: a start program, pressure relay and electromagnetic valve, thermostat, and timer. Two industrial giants participated in the development — Bendix Corporation and General Electric.
Antique washing machine at the Museum of Historical Washing Technology (Museum Der Historischen Waschtechnik) in Ostbevern (Germany)
- In 1949, the first program device for a washing machine was created (programs were punched on cards). In the early 1950s, machines acquired a new spin function (centrifugation). In 1978, a washing machine with a microprocessor-based control system was created.
- The technical evolution of washing machines continues. They're acquiring ever more new functions and programs. The UseLogic® electronic intelligence used in the latest generation washing machines analyzes, corrects, and optimizes the washing process. The Fuzzy Wizard ("Assistant") program helps select the right mode for different fabrics and the most suitable additional functions. The Clear Water optical sensor determines the degree of water contamination and, if necessary, activates additional rinsing of laundry. Functions have appeared for automatic cooling of water before draining into sewage, another very important sensor for reducing excessive foam formation, leak protection systems, and much more.
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