Has anyone seen one of these? I just read about them in an old Caloric brochure from the 50's. I would love to own one.
Caloric Dryers?????
- Thread starter bajaespuma
- Start date
Baja im glad you brought this up, when my parents home was built in 1968, they had a builder model roper stove and oven. I DIMLY remember mention of a roper gas dryer. Of course the brochure is long gone. I wonder if the gas technology savvy range mfr's. built gas dryers for rebadge for some of the laundry mfr's? alr2903
Nail on the head
The reason I'm curious is that, back then in the fifties, rebadging seemed to be anethema to most independent brands who didn't have a pre-existing relationship with a retailer (i.e. Whirlpool/Sears). As we saw with the short-lived Tappan dishwasher, manufacturers were more likely to put out an inferior original product than stoop to assimilation of another's work.
The reason I'm curious is that, back then in the fifties, rebadging seemed to be anethema to most independent brands who didn't have a pre-existing relationship with a retailer (i.e. Whirlpool/Sears). As we saw with the short-lived Tappan dishwasher, manufacturers were more likely to put out an inferior original product than stoop to assimilation of another's work.
The Roper dryer was manufactured from 1955 through 1959. The 1958 Custom Deluxe model had a square window in the door and a knob to pull the door open in the upper left corner of the door. It had an 18,000 BTU burner, "Tornado" exhaust to rapidly remove moisture and a polished bronze drum to prevent snagging. The lint filter was at the bottom. 1958 was the first year that Roper offered a fancy model as well as a standard one.
The Caloric was one odd duck. I have never encountered any information on it outside of seeing two of them. One was in the window of the Atlanta Gas Light Company and the other was in the carport utiltiy room of a lady on my paper route who was also the secretary of the counseling dept. at my high school. They were a frugal family so the weird dryer fit right in. The front was as plain as calm water with a round glass door. The control panel had a blue background as I remember with a timer knob and an on/off switch that probably had something to do with the igniter. This would have been in mid 60s. Think of the way appliances were styled, even in the mid 60s when some of the greatest excesses were waning. The Hamilton, Norge and WP dryers sold by the gas company were regular looking models and then there was the Caloric. The only thing that I can think of that was as plain looking was that little Proctor portable dryer that Sears sold, but not with the major laundry stuff. We are talking pathetic looking.
The Caloric was one odd duck. I have never encountered any information on it outside of seeing two of them. One was in the window of the Atlanta Gas Light Company and the other was in the carport utiltiy room of a lady on my paper route who was also the secretary of the counseling dept. at my high school. They were a frugal family so the weird dryer fit right in. The front was as plain as calm water with a round glass door. The control panel had a blue background as I remember with a timer knob and an on/off switch that probably had something to do with the igniter. This would have been in mid 60s. Think of the way appliances were styled, even in the mid 60s when some of the greatest excesses were waning. The Hamilton, Norge and WP dryers sold by the gas company were regular looking models and then there was the Caloric. The only thing that I can think of that was as plain looking was that little Proctor portable dryer that Sears sold, but not with the major laundry stuff. We are talking pathetic looking.
Thanks Tom, and Baja, I had meant to ask about the roper, for sometime, but I was distrustful of my memory. Odd about how plain jane the caloric was, Their 36" gas ranges had tall lighted backguards, an automatic burner, double ovens, timed outlets, one of my Aunts had one, I always admired it. Thanks again Tom for sharing the history of these 2 odd ducks. alr2903.
...now I'm really intrigued. I hope somebody out there has at least a couple of illustrations of these machines. Thanks Tom, I appreciate the detailed recollection.
caloric dryer
I vaguly remember the caloric dryer from a window display in a upstate heating and plumbing store. I would like to see more pictures. I don't ever remember seeing a roper dryer.
Peter
I vaguly remember the caloric dryer from a window display in a upstate heating and plumbing store. I would like to see more pictures. I don't ever remember seeing a roper dryer.
Peter
toggleswitch
Well-known member
Here is one that is not in the English lexicon.
"Panathema se."
Pan (all manner of)
anathema (curses)
to
you.
"Panathema se."
Pan (all manner of)
anathema (curses)
to
you.
davy1063
Well-known member
Yiasas!!!!
Let's here it for us Greeks!!!!!
My favorite one was "tha sevrasou" (I'm gonna boil ya)
My grandmother used that on me quite often
Let's here it for us Greeks!!!!!
My favorite one was "tha sevrasou" (I'm gonna boil ya)
My grandmother used that on me quite often
spankomatic
Well-known member
Something Caloric
I came across this at a thrift store a few years ago. It is a Caloric Caddie. It is supose to go by the kitchen phone to hold the phone book and other items. I thought it was kinda neat. I have no idea what year it was made. It looks 70's. I wonder if it had a matching dryer?
Jim
I came across this at a thrift store a few years ago. It is a Caloric Caddie. It is supose to go by the kitchen phone to hold the phone book and other items. I thought it was kinda neat. I have no idea what year it was made. It looks 70's. I wonder if it had a matching dryer?
Jim
spankomatic
Well-known member
More photos
spankomatic
Well-known member
More photos
It's 60's; Rob and Laura era. Caloric made caddies for phones, rolls of foil, paper towels, etc. Bid on a couple on ebay. That one could be late 60's because of it's color.
veg-o-matic
Well-known member
I have the towel/tissue caddie in lovely Coppertone!
veg
veg
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