Expert: Eileen Cronk - 3/18/2005

Question
Hello,
I was wondering if you could direct me to web sites or historic record resources that could help me understand where and how a wooden barrel, hand cranked, washing machine p-atented may 8 1900, and purchases at audtion in rockport pennslvania.

thank you
Shawn

Answer
Hi Shawn
This is a neat question.
Kind of scary too as I remember Grama had AND USED one of these machines :-)
I offer the following sites, and hope you find some info.

ON THE WEB:
National Museum of Science and Technology
The largest of its kind in Canada devoted to Science and Technology education.
(URL: www.science-tech.nmstc.ca/english/collection/washing_machines.cfm)

The History of the Washing Machine
A lot of appliances were about long before electricity, some would use motors to operate
them but most were operated by hand.
(URL: http://www.gizmohighway.com/history/washer.htm)

The History of Washing Machines
James King was an American who in 1851, patented the first washing machine to use a drum. Lots of COOKIES and POP-UP ADS at this about site.
(URL: inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blwashingmachines.htm)

Washing Machine Repair Manual
Sample page from the Cheap and Easy! Washing Machine Repair manual..
(URL: www.appliancerepair.net/wmdemo.htm)
Maytag Collectors Club
In 1893 Frederick Louis Maytag, who came to Iowa as a farm boy in a covered wagon, joined his two brothers-in-laws and George W. Parsons to start a farm implement company. They produced threshing machine, band-cutter and self-feeder attachments invented by one of the founders.
(URL: www.maytagclub.com/)
GOOD LUCK
EILEEN