Larry...
Answering to your question, I'm here in my bedroom, on my bed, naked under the comforter, in front of the computer, looking like a guaca mole because i'm using my avocado mosturizing mask. Thank God nobody can see me right now. LOL
I'm very proud of your machine. it makes me feel nostalgic.
By the way, the project of this washer started by the door. (and the whole machine was designed around it.) the original concept we did was the wave panel on the top of the door, a clean panel with a wide dispenser on the center (and the only detail was the dispenser button which was big like your dial), the Electrolux logo was supposed to be centralized having the "E" as door release and the other buttons surrounding the top of the door. Also, it was supposed to have the voice assistant, like the "Washy Talky".
Unfortunatelly (or fortunately) a project always changes a lot from the first draft to the last prototype. most of the design changes are made by mechanical and electronic engineers (operational and construction), limited by the cost of the materials or it's complexity to be produced sequentially and also, the consumer sugestions (that's why the slogan is "thinking of you") and it means reading thousands of consumer emails, hearing hours and hours of 1-800 recordings or even visit some random consumers, because we know each consumer is different from the other (and 99% of them won't read the user manual)
The most funny and interesting about Electrolux is the C.E.O. of course he's a powerful man, HE'S THE BIG BOSS!, but he NEVER used the executive restaurant, he always have lunch and dinner with the production workers interacting with them. nobody can call him "Mister Hans (i can't spell his last name)" he hates that. it's just Hans. Every day he gets a bike and ride across the production lines (that's how he keeps his sexy body). Often he wears an operator uniform and works part time at the production line, in a random shift and random position.
After the shift is not difficult to see him offering a drive home or asking for a random worker to drive him home or he just gets the bus or even walk with a group of colleagues.
If any worker from any unit around the world wants to talk to him, we just need to click on his name on MSN. If you speak english, german, portuguese or swedish and he has the time, he always listens, no matter if you are a high executive in Sweden or the security guard in China. It's almost impossible to find a CEO (in his case friend, father, brother) like him. His atitude motivates the workers and the result can be seen on the Electrolux products.
Unfortunatelly the market tendencies changed and i wasn't happy anymore. I decided to quit and retire, but I still love and will always respect the company that created my career and my life. The company that found me in the college and taught me everything college can't teach.
Anyway, back to your machine after this nostalgy moment, the new golden team was great and did an excellent job. Your machine is simply amazing.
I have to admit it's the first time I see a young designers team make something better than the veterans.
Also, I'm a little jealous because i can't have a machine like yours because this model isn't available in Brazil yet and also it won't pass thru my front door.
