Dishwashing in the 1920's The OTOMATIK way!!

[perc-o-prince]

I just got this on fleaBay and am intrigued by the simplicity. Only problem...I can't find any info about it. I hope that someone can shed some light on it with maybe an ad or literature / instructions.

It is a spin tube dishwasher though I can't seem to get the tube to spin with water. It spins just fine and easy by hand. The unit is small as the dimensions are only 18" deep x 18" wide x 12" deep.



I'm going to post several pics for your viewing pleasure!! Enjoy

Rich[this post was last edited: 3/14/2012-18:27]

 

[perc-o-prince]

Sitting in its proper pose

It's made out of galvanized sheet metal which is painted and hand pinstriped. The hose, of course, isn't the proper one but all I had on hand. The sink adapter is the proper one that came with it.

 

[perc-o-prince]

The inside.

Not very big. I can't quite fit my full sized 12" plates in the unit. The top rack is split so they swing up and out of the way to load the bottom. Not much room for tall glasses. Terrible design!!

 

[perc-o-prince]

Better pic of spin tube.

It sprays very fine jets of water. Just will not spin. Feels like it may be nickle plated copper.

 

[perc-o-prince]

The soap dispenser

I guess this is what makes it OTOMATIK!! Not automatic. I think they must have done the spelling to avoid being sued They never claimed it was automatic!

 

[perc-o-prince]

Close-up of dispenser. Last pic

There is a screen inside so that you could put powdered soap in and it would dissolve slowly as the water ran through it. Once empty it would OTOMATIKLY rinse the dishes. Sheesh. What a gimmick!

I believe that these dishwashers were not made in any great numbers as the pinstriping seems to be hand done and the screen ring inside the soap dispenser is very well hand made out of brass. Still has the file marks on it.

Hope you get as much of a kick out of it as I do. I know that it doesen't have the screaming design of a 50's appliance but I think that it has a certain primitive charm that harkens back to a simpler time.

Rich

 

[toploader55]

It's Bigger than a Bread Box !!!

Very Cool

That's a way better design than this one. Some guy posted this here about a year or two ago.

 

[jetcone]

That seems like

more work than just doing the dishes. I can't imagine houses didn't have a scads of hot water on hand back in the day.

 

[perc-o-prince]

Hey Eddie, What post did this other dishwasher come from? I don't remember it. Were there any other pics?

Jon, I can't believe that this dishwasher enjoyed any popularity for just the reason you stated though I do have a instant electric water heater that would hook/snap on to the end of the faucet but I doubt that it would heat the volume of water needed for the dishwasher.

Rich

 

[petek]

It's not just cool it's uber cool. Never seen such a thing that old before, like a prehistoric Whirlaway

 

[dishwashercrazy]

Wow, Rich. That is a fantastic find. Way ahead of both Youngstown and Frigidaire on the spray tube technology.

Thanks for sharing this with us.

Mike

 

[launderess]

Saw That Listing On eBay

Assumed only a member of this group would be bidding, so kept mum and didn't post the information as one normally does for "odd" finds.

Glad one was right and that a member was able to nab the thing.

L.

 

[perc-o-prince]

Thank you to you both!

Mike, Do you have any info or knowledge of this dishwasher? I figure that if anyone would it would most likely be you

Launderess, Thanks you for your discretion though I don't know how many others would be crazy enough to lay out hard cold cash for it. I'm very glad to have it

Pete, " Never seen such a thing that old before" Many years ago I did see a dishwasher in the back barn of an antique store that had to be from the late 1800's. It was a long galvanized tub(picture a half oval) that had a galvanized top. Inside were racks and at the bottom was a wood dasher that you would rock back and forth thus spraying water on your dishes. The dealer wanted a pretty penny for it so there it stood. I wasn't yet interested in collecting vintage appliances but I did take notice of that dishwasher and tried to justify buying it :-(

Rich

 

[toploader55]

Hey Rich.

I have no idea why, but the guy picked my profile and e-mailed me privately. This was before the AW page changed.  I have quite a few pics.  I am going to see if I have the e-mail archived somewhere.

 

[perc-o-prince]

Thanks, Eddie!

I would love to see them. Early technology fascinates me. I love the look of the later machines but I have a passion for the earliest pieces. Great to see where we started and how far we've come!!

Rich

 

[petek]

Maybe the same?

Rich , There was an old dw on display at the Ford Museum in Dearborn that was iirc like a half oak barrel (cut lengthwise) on a stand with rack inserts and a crank whereby the rack swung back and forth in the water. It's been at least 12 years since I last visited so maybe time to go have another look.

 

[toploader55]

Rich...

I found the e-mail.  It was from 2009.

 

I'm turning in soon, but I'll send or post more pics later.

 

[toploader55]

Rich...

I found the e-mail.  It was from 2009.

 

I'm turning in soon, but I'll send or post more pics later.

 

[dishwashercrazy]

Rich,

No, I had not heard of this particular one before.

Mike