1946 (?) Whirlpool/Kenmore washing machine

[packardmanken]

I LOVE the design of the 1946 (I think) Whirlpool made for Kenmore washing machine. I found a brochure describing it and its functions recently on Ebay and bought it. Seems like a full functioning washing machine as we know it today. The design looks like a wringer with a bolted on "wrap around" control panel and no wringers. I am interested in industrial design and would like to more about who designed it, engineered it, etc. Of course, i would LOVE to have one. Thanks to anyone with any information on this rare machine.
PS: Did find this blurb on the Digital Archives for Sears
For $239.95, Sears offers its first automatic, agitator-type Kenmore washer, which features one-speed, one water level, one cycle and three water temperatures. More than 20,000 washers are sold.

 

[easyspindry]

Very good basic machine.

There was no suspension in this machine, therefore it had to be bolted to the floor so as not to "walk" when spinning. I'm not a Kenmore/Whirlpool fan, but I'm guessing this was among the first if not THE first of their automatics.

Jerry Gay

 

[countryford]

I have one like that. I think it might be newer. Not as fancy. It is on the left of the picture.

 

[packardmanken]

Two?

Countryford! You are a lucky guy. Two of these rare machines. How did you find two of these?
How do they perform? Thank you for posting the photo.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Ken, the machine next to the boltdown Kenmore is a Thor semi-automatic which does not have to be bolted down.

 

[stan]

$239.95

Seems pretty steep for 1946!
That was at least 2 or 3 average house payments back then!