Drum beat that began post WWII grew into ever louder voices calling for end of wringer washers. Consumer groups and even federal government understood their need prior, but by 1950's onwards with automatic washer production rapidly increasing it was felt there was just no need for "dangerous" wringer washers.
By 1960's or so (cannot recall exactly when) Congressional hearings were held, papers written, endless research... all pretty much with same goal; either make wringer washers safer or better yet cease production.
Maytag responded with their safety pedal device which added a layer of improvement safety wise to what themselves and others already had. Things like ringer rollers that popped open when something too thick attempted to go through (such as an arm or hand), those sort of things.
In USA sales of wringer washers peaked in 1948 at 3,421,000 with still 379,000 sold late as 1968, starting in 1951 automatic washers sales in USA surpassed wringers.
Thus while wringer washers were dying a slow and natural death in terms of new sales, plenty of households had them and for various reasons couldn't or wouldn't have automatics.
Maytag made it's reputation on their famous wringer washers and I'm sorry but that "Porta-washer" twin tub was *not* an adequate substitute.
Before Maytag discontinued their famous WW in 1983 they laid in enough stock of spares to last at least 25 years. No such effort was made for their Porta-washer IIRC.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news...e, durable washer,to the company`s philosophy.
