subject: The History Of The Washing Machine [print this page] We all like to wear nice clean smelling clothes. Its something that is just an everyday part of life. If our clothes get dirty, we pop them in the washing machine, they spin around for 45 minutes, and they come out clean. It is as simple as that! However, it hasnt always been this way. In fact, the washing machine as we know it today is a relatively new invention. That however, does not mean that people did not wash their clothes before the invention of the washing machine. In fact, man has always found ingenious ways to keep ones clothes staying fresh.
Hundreds, even thousands of years ago, people would wash their clothes in rivers and streams. This would be done by rubbing items of clothing against rocks or other abrasives. This would remove the dirt, and the water could carry it away downstream.
In the early 19th Century a wash board was used to clean clothes. This device was used for many years. Simply put, clothes were rubbed against a board, which had grooves cut into it. This would loosen the dirt, making them clean. In Victorian England, the wash house was seen as a place to go to socialise for many working class women. They would be able to do their washing, whilst chatting to their friends.
With the invention of electricity, came the invention of the first rotary washing machine in America around 1900. This was a rudimentary device, and the motor was not protected from the water in the machine. This resulted in frequent shortages, and electric shocks for the user.
It took a number of years for manufacturers to get the electric washing machine right. By the 1920, the Beaty Brothers had come up with a winning design, which was developed further to create a washing machine, which resembled in parts washing machines of today.
As would be expected, over the years washing machines developed further. First the invention of an automated water pump meant the washing machine could be almost completely autonomous for the first time. Next came the timer, which allowed cycles to be programed into the washing machine allowing it to handle many different types of load.
By the 1950s Washing machines had evolved greatly. Manufacturers introduced the Spin function, which made the dangerous Mangle obsolete. The Mangle was known to have taken peoples fingers during operation. The new spin washers made washing your clothes both more time efficient, and a lot safer.
