Recent content by cadman

This week we drop in on Findlay, OH to see Whirlpool's new state-of-the-art range assembly process, circa 1981.

I don't think mainstream consumers really care one way or the other if the knob on the backplash connects to an encoder or a mechanical system. They just want a reliable machine that cleans well and looks modern. The problem with a mechanical timer is it's too easy to cheat the water fill which...

Thanks Greg!

Maytag fans, rejoice! You’ve heard of "Mother Takes a Holiday", but have you heard of “Long Live the Ladies”? This film was produced by Maytag at roughly the same time, but as far as I can tell, was intentionally held back due to the upcoming intro of the Supermatic models with revised styling...

I'm a big fan of that Bendix system, it was batch-fire port injection, used on the Olds 350, and optional on the 425 and 500, and it was ANALOG. The biggest problem with them is that environmentally sealed connectors weren't yet a thing, and guys would pull their hair out trying to chase down...

A lot of folks make that mistake, but that vid is from a '59. The 59/60 EB's were high-end, Italian-bodied Cadillacs with styling a year or two ahead of the standard models. If you look at a 61/62 6-window you'll see the influence, but the rear glass does not intrude into the door opening...

Wow, a '59 EB. I'm told the most difficult part of owning one today is having front and rear glass made given total production for 59/60 was 200 units and everything was custom. Since we're talking power windows, it's worth mentioning their famous party trick:

Merry Christmas Eve! No in-depth retrospectives or public service films this week. Simply six and half minutes of RCA-WP TV ads from 1964. Enjoy!

Figured I'd share this in the Super forum since it's not directly appliance-related, but I know we have some history buffs here. I just finished cleaning up this film from 1956, produced in-house by Whirlpool-Seeger Corp. In the mid-50's they produced several with this homespun approach...

This week we rewind the clock to 1960 and take a look behind the curtain in Maytag Plant #2. This is unused footage for the previously released film "Eddie, Inc." Pretty cool!

It's been almost 20 years since a Maytag rolled out of Newton. After acquisition, Whirlpool took the write-off and donated the remaining buildings to the Des Moines Area Community College. Just keeping the lights on and HVAC running turned out to be a much larger expense than anticipated, and...

We interrupt our previous film schedule to move something special to the head of the queue. It's a rare film from 1984 all about WP's D2000 program, from conception to factory assembly, with lots of great behind the scenes shots and info. Excellent color and only minor denoising was required...

Tune in this Wednesday and you just might get your wish....😉

This week's release is "It Can Be Done - A Report on the Recycling of Major Appliances" commissioned by Whirlpool Corp. It's a pretty solid production, but ooof, just how many rare machines can you spot headed for the scrapper?

This week's film is a little different than the others, it's a corporate piece commissioned by Maytag that emphasizes the importance of employee relations, fair pay, and being a good steward for the community, and it does so through Eddie and his lemonade stand. It's pretty light on appliance...