Evolution of H-Axis Washing Machines From Semi to Fully Automatic

[launderess]

Semi-automatic washers, wash houses.... some British housewives just didn't want to know from fully automatic washing machines.

Don't think you'd find another "wash house" in Europe by 1970's, but they were still around in UK.

 

[launderess]

Frigidaire Imperial 514

 

[me]

Zanussi pioneered use of induction motor and pulley system that produced very reliable washing machines.

That calls for a visit to The Washing Machine Guidance Counsellor -




(Incidentally, I believe Arçelik / Beko now own controlling interest in Indesit and the associated brands, although I think whirlpool still holds a smaller interest)

 

[circlew]

Launderess mentioned nylon, which reminded me of when Qiana was all the rage. My mom bought bed sheets made of that fabric, and my dad said it was like sleeping on a bed covered with Saran Wrap. I had a shirt made of it, and didn't care much for it.

 

[stainfighter]

Side tracking for a moment.

What was it with nylon and 1960's or so UK?
Shirts, bed linen, pajamas, the lot. Can understand "easy care" and all but the stuff is hardly comfortable. The static!

And, the heat, clothes did not breathe

 

[launderess]

It is truly amazing how many vintage to near ancient front loaders from Europe built say 1950's through 1960's are still around, and work pretty much perfectly. Things were built to last back then I suppose.

​

 

[launderess]

Third type of front loader found in Europe were based upon "Pullman" h-axis washers. This are usually called "side loader" in commercial/industrial models and offer several advantages over top loading h-axis washers with tubs mounted front to back or sideways.

For one thing long cylinder gives good capacity without necessarily having a deep tub.

Phillips made one such domestic machine for France (and maybe other markets) that included gas heating.

 

[launderess]

On commercial/industrial size side loading h-axis washers have been stable going back to steam laundry days when things were driven by belts.

Craponne. 1910 : la première machine à laver est fabriquée dans l’usine Gayet-Gladel

Série. La fabrication des premières machines à laver a contribué au développement économique de la commune et peu à peu au déclin des blanchisseurs.

www.leprogres.fr

Since 1995 WP held patents for a top loading washer with "cylinder" tub, they've done nothing with it to date apparently.

 

[launderess]

Whether top or front loading h-axis washers came to dominate or are major share of local market post WWII largely came down to home design.

In UK with trend of fitted kitchens where appliances are often built in under counter/work tops, obviously any sort of washer that opens from top is non-starter. Thus front loaders dominate.

OTOH in France, Germany and other areas including parts of Eastern Europe where laundry appliances aren't always built in under worktops, top loading machines have good market share. French in particular those living in urban areas love themselves top loading h-axis washers. Kitchens while yes on often small size, things aren't always all built under worktops. There is usually a small spot perfect to fit an top loader.

Top loading h-axis washers are also incredibly popular with maritime (boat) owners. There is benefit of savings that come from low detergent and water use plus things will fit into narrow spaces.

MieleUSA has a division just for ships/boats and is only place one can (or could) get a Miele toplader outside of Europe.

 

[launderess]

So, does spending more for a front loader equal better quality wash?

That is something up to each consumer. What matters to one household may not to another.

This being said with ever nuclear arms race in laundry appliances happening in Europe, many do wonder if paying three or more thousands for a washing machine is really worth bothering.