Apparently the Very First Automatic Washer was Sold on September 27, 1937

[Unimatic1140]

I love these vintage trade periodical magazines. So after finding both Electrical Merchandising and Appliance Manufacturer magazines I thought I had uncovered all of the cool appliance trade magazines, well low and behold I just found another one that I never heard of. Electrical Dealer Magazine was very similar to Electric Merchandising in large Life-magazine format, with great ads and articles.

I just added the October 1952 Silver Anniversary Issue to the Ephemera Library. It has a wonderful 20 page pictorial review of the history and significant developments in Appliances: Washers, Dryers, Ironers, Hot Water Heaters, Ranges, Refrigerators, Dishwashers, Vacuum Cleaners, Fans, Air Conditioners, Food Mixers, Housewares, Sewing Machines, Electric Blankets, Clocks, Electric Kitchens, Irons, Toasters, Radios, Television. For the Automatic Washer, they show the invoice of the very first sale of the Bendix Automatic Washer in 1937! Someone of the earliest dryers they show look like something from another planet.

Great full pages ads include:
ABC-O-Matic Automatic Washer
Speed Queen Dryer and Wringer Washer
Laundry Queen "Truly" Automatic Washer
Bendix Washer and Dryer
Apex Automatic Washer and Dishwasher
Tide's Frigidiare Washer Promotion
Dexter Wringer Washers
Woman's Friend Wringer Washers
Whirlpool Washer and Dryer showing both St. Joseph and Clyde Plants
Thor Automatic and Semi-Automatic Washers
Easy Spindrier Washers and Easy Wringer
Hamilton Dryers
American Kitchens Dishwasher
Crosley Dishwasher

 

[combo52]

Very cool find Robert

Another 1952 great.

Can't wait to read this one

 

[peteski50]

Great magazine

Thank you Robert,
Does anyone know about this Laundry Queen washer page 49?
Peter

 

[turquoisedude]

Interesting.... The name and address of the manufacturer of the Laundry Queen is listed as "Automatic Washer Company" in Newton, Iowa.  Perhaps an early foray into the land of the automatic by Maytag??

 

[combo52]

More like an early attempt of Maytag trying to take over the Speed Queen name, LOL

 

[gansky1]

Laundry Queen

This automatic was sourced from Franklin. The company in Newton was a small and relatively brief competitor of Maytag in the wringer days but didn't make it through the 50's or early 60's and was gone.