Washing machines

Scrup Boards

Jul 25, 1797

In 1797 the special purpose washing device, known as the scrup board was invented

Clothes Washer With Wringer Rolls

Jul 25, 1843

Canadian John E. Turnbull patented a Clothes Washer With Wringer Rolls, this combined a washer with the wringing system

Steam Driven

Jul 25, 1850

During the 1850's steam driven washing machines were on sale in the UK and US

Compound rotary washing machine

Jul 25, 1862

patented "compound rotary washing machine was shown at the 1862 London Exhibition

Electric washing machines?

Jul 25, 1904

Adds for Electric washing machines began appearing in newspapers and fliers.

Mighty Thor

Jul 25, 1908

Mistakingly known as the first Electric washer, the mighty Thor was invented in 1908 by Alva J. Fisher

Design and replace

Jul 25, 1930

Design began to improve and the wringer system was replaced by the spin dry due to the safety hazards.

Laundromat

Jul 25, 1934

The first laundromat opened in Texas and was owned by Andrew Clien

First electric washer

Jul 25, 1937

The bendix corporation realeased the first electric washer in 1937

Pearl harbor bombing

Dec 7, 1941

After the bombing companies were forced to produce war materiel, however during this time they began research and development for electric washing machines

The Bendix deluxe and The General Electric

Jul 25, 1947

Bendix released the Bendix Deluxe in 1947 which was an improved front loader in comparison to its predessor.
General electric also released a top loading washer which contains many of the features our washers have today

The unit wash

Jul 25, 1950

Braun released its first washer/extractor in the 1950s called 'The Unit Wash'

Timers

Jul 25, 1950

In the 1950's many companies incorporated electrical timers rather than the electromechanical timer as they allowed more variation in the functions of the washer

Twin Tub

Jul 25, 1960

During the 1960's the twin tub washer became popular due to the high cost of hot water. This system enabled people to re-use the water,

Control?

Jul 25, 1970

From the 1970's to present the ability to adjust the motor speed was an included feature in washing machines

Micro-Controllers

Jul 25, 1990

Micro-controllers were used for the timing process and were both cost effective and reliable

System 2000

Jul 25, 1994

Staber industries released a top-loading, horizontal-axis washer to be manufactured in the United States

smart drive

Jul 25, 1998

Fisher and Paykel released the smart drive This washing machine uses a computer-controlled system to determine certain factors such as load size and automatically adjusts the wash cycle to match

Calypso

Jul 25, 2001

Produced by Whirlpool corporation it is the first vertical-axis high efficiency washing machine to be top-loading

Neptune washer

Jul 25, 2003

Produced by Magtag this washer used two washplates

Sanyo

Jul 25, 2007

Sanyo invented a washer that only uses 50L of water in recycle mode and also is the first drum washing machine to incorporate air wash function

Future washers

Jul 25, 2008

University of Leeds created a concept washing machine that uses only a cup of water and 20 kg of re-usable plastic chips to carry out a full wash. Currently being developed (?)