Brand name overview 1950-1970's

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akronman

akronman

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I think it generally believed that Maytag sold on reliability/ease of service/long-lasting.
GE Filter-Flo best remembered for the non-stop filtering and aggressive agitation.
Frigidaire remembered for the (relatively) unique up-down Jetcone agitation.
Bendix/Philco -Bendix for the introduction of AUTOMATIC and front-loaders.

What are the specifics to the Kenmore/Whirlpool line? Westinghouse? Speed Queen? What other brands were known for some unique or acknowledged characteristics?

As machines come up here and there for sale and repair, I'm trying to get a representative machine from each major brand and/or each technology (wringer, twin-tub, top laod agitator, FL, etc), and many of you folks will have good insight to help me.
Thanks in advance
 
The Westinghouse ads touted their washers & dryers as: It doesn't just have what EVERY washer/dryer has, it has what every washer/dryer DOESN'T!

In other words: "Just Good, SURE Value For The Money!"...

-- Dave (of which Chas. Klamkin recommends Westinghouse FRONT-LOADERS, not Westinghouse Top-Loaders...!!!!)
 
From what I 've seen and read about Kelvinator was that they offered the unique X-Centric washing action, and the concentrated shampoo action pre-wash before filling the rest of the way for the main wash.
 
OK, Hotpoint: The "Handwash" agitator (concealed beneath the "regular one") system...

(And what should have been added to the Westinghouse, is the "gentle agitator" that fits over the regular one...)

And don't forget that Hotpoint offered the Self-Cleaning lint filter in most of their line-up (whereas Whirlpool & Sears Kenmore relegated the S/C filter (or Whirlpool's "Magic Clean") to the "better" & "best" Lg. Cap. models...

-- Dave

(--Who can't understand why Charles Klamkin's book totes the Whirlpool washer he recommends as a 14 LB machine, when LXA 6700, I would think would be a 18 LB machine, according to most sources; as would the "Sears Kenmore w/ the same features"...)
 
Westinghouse also had an indexing wash tub. The clockwise stroke of the agitator was shorter than the counterclockwise stroke. The tub would index during the clockwise stroke. The shorter the stroke, the more the tub indexed.
 
Kenmore sold themselves with various ad campaigns over the years but "Kenmore, Solid as Sears" is one I remember well. In the 80s and before, we didn't have big-box retailers who sold coast to coast. Circuit City was one I remember as an 'up and coming' in the later 80s. Before that, Sears was probably the largest chain that was similar country-wide, so buyers knew what they were getting, either in Boise or Orlando. The fact that Sears was sold and serviced nationwide and had in-house financing (this was before everyone had credit cards), was a big draw. That, coupled with the simple fact that they had well planned models that a great many buyers liked, help them sell, and sell very well.

I really think that's the bottom line for Sears Kenmore's success back then.

Gordon
 
Speed Queen....at least the ones from the 60's

although not famous for, but could be identified as:
the overflo wash/rinse.....the fill was aireated--time filled
solid stainless steel tubs....which got smoother with use
no pauses in the cycle...jump from wash to spin

best known for:
its 210 degree agitation stroke
banging solenoids
fluid drives
no brake

not sure, but the rythymic sound of the pump sucking air as the motor ran during the entire cycle, including fills

in the later 70's....reversing motors operated the tranny for wash, and reverse for spin, pauses added, but eliminated the banging solenoids, tub brake was added....Time fill was still in use as well as the other SQ traits...
 
Speed Queen Ads from the seventies

I remember Steve McQueen doing ads for Speed Queen washers in the seventies for their stainless steel tubs.
Mike
 
then again.......................................

It could have been someone else, I do remember the ads, does anyone else remember?................. or maybe I am having a senior moment at 45 years old LOL.
MIKE
 
NORGE!

More...Much more from NORGE!, Norge washers were known for being noisy, but also for very agressive agitation, and the burpalator filter.
 
Back in th '60s I think Norges were thought of mainly as laundromat machines, thanks to the Norge Villages. I don't recall ever seeing one in a private residence.

As far as Whirlpool, they did have that deal with RCA back in the '60s where Whirlpools were sold in RCA's retail stores.
 
Hotpoint film

Ok, I have a HOTPOINT film that SOMEDAY I'll bring to a wash-a-rama. I do hope to meet y'all someday. Let me see if I can quote some stuff from 1963:
HOTPOINT:
First with an all-porcelain finish inside and out. (SURE to make consumers shout...)
First with full-width fluorescent lighted backpanel
First with two speed washing
First with two cycle washing

SILHOUETTE your line SUPREME !
Feature loaded, it's a DREAM !

I sure hope the host has a 16mm sound projector. I'm NOT lugging my Kodak Pageant anywhere but here. LOL.
 
for the life of me I cannot remember his last name......

but the spokesperson for Speed Queen was a guy named Chuck....he was in all the Ladies magazines holding a SS tub on top of a washer, WHACKING it with a hammer to show no chips from the tub........I used to go thru all Mom's magazines and rip out all the pages of him, and any other Washer I could find....
 
THANK YOU...................................................

I thought I was losing my mind for a minute, Chuck Connors, I don't know why I thought it was Steve McQueen, I dunno, maybe because of the name Speed Queen, anyway, thanks.
Mike
 
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.
 
Hotpoint Uk

A dream for wash day

Hotpoint Supermatic with Filter-Clean

Just think of all you could wish for in a washing machine and it comes true with the Hotpoint Supermatic

The TRUTH about tangling ....

Staining tea towels with radio active grease, and testing them after washing in a Hotpoint and an "ordinary" machine with a geiger counter

and ..

Hotpoint washes extra clean
Cleaner than you've ever seen
HOTPOINT
Cannot tangle clothes

Those really were the days

Al

 
that flic in Al's link Reply 22

One of Sass's finds for his museum. What a creative ad with the wet clothes "rain" and all. The machine is beautiful (last shot, all sparkling enamel) and "the dryer" is spinning at 2000+rpms --WITH NO LID!!!

 

Those were the days indeed.

 

Easy Spindriers: Two shining chrome faucets, one big, one little; and a large tub morphing down perfectly into a smaller tub--so smooth.
 
Norge....????

Slow agitation????? You must have seen different Norges from any I ever saw, because they agitate on slow, about as fast as a Maytag does on high speed!
 
Thank you, Norgeway, for defending the best washers ever! So speaking of innovation, Norge introduced the exclusive "dispenser wheel" for worry-free fabric softener dispensing. And yes, the agitation is quite vigorous, not slow (unless on gentle cycle). I use a '74 Wards Signature washer and dryer for my daily drivers and my clothes are thankful for it! And my Norge washer and dryer are waiting for their turn! (Norge washer photo posted unabashed)

washerlover++3-15-2011-21-43-0.jpg
 

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