My Overview
Inglis, Kenmore, Whirlpool:
Soil-laden water is drained away before the spin, not spun into your clothes. Exclusive 9-rinse system - 1 deep rince and 4 spray rinses each spin. Cycles changed by "wig-wag" solenoid assembly - no pauses or reversing. Waterfall lint filter. Kenmore introduced the Dual-Action agitator. Howling pump on older models. Dryer has top-mounted lint screen - extra long screen on single-belt-drive models.
Franklin:
Introduced indexing tub - "Tri-Action Agitation." Angel-wing agitator. No tub brake, and locking lid on later models.
Westinghouse:
Slant-front tumblers. One-direction tumble and slow spin. Dryer sings "How Dry I Am" at the end of cycle. Space-Mates introduced; machines that can be installed almost anywhere.
Maytag:
Spinning Helical-drive transmission. Halo-of-Heat dryer. (plus what others previously mentioned here)
Speed Queen:
Commercial washer quality. Stainless steel tub/drum. Fluid drive. (plus what others previously mentioned here)
McClary, Easy:
Spiralator agitator.
Frigidaire:
As we all know, the Pulsator and Rapidry.
Norge:
Slow agitation, banging tub brake, fast spin-drain, "Burpilator."
Philco:
Unique agitation in top-loader.
Blackstone:
Solid tub with neutral drain (early models). Oldest washing machine company.