First Westinghouse Laundromat

[jeff_adelphi]

Thanks to Jerry Gay for finding and delivering this Westinghouse washer for our collection. It must be the very first model they made. We have not found a date on it yet, but it must be from around 1940. It is very different from the 1947 model L2 that I have.

 

[jeff_adelphi]

It has a pump protector much like a Bendix, and a drain valve.

 

[jeff_adelphi]

It has white plastic dials that are lighted from behind. My 1947 L2 has black dials and no lights.

 

[jeff_adelphi]

But the part that's most different is the drive system and transmission. It has a single drive belt, and the transmission is attached to the back of the outer tub.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Wow, that is simply amazing Jeff!!!! Looking forward to seeing more. A pre-war Westinghouse is an Historic find for sure.

 

[jeff_adelphi]

The drain pump is driven by the single belt, and is controlled by a solenoid that moves a roller to push the belt into contact with the pump pulley.

 

[jeff_adelphi]

The washer is in great shape for it's age, so I think we will be able to make it run again! We can't find a model number tag on it and wonder if it could be an L1. John and I have never seen anything like it!

 

[appnut]

Isn't there a POD that has this washer with the detergent chute in the door?  I love the variable temperature knob.  And prewash cycle too!!  Wonder what the meaning of  "reset" between prewash and heavy is.

 

[jeff_adelphi]

Reset,

After the prewash the washer will stop at the reset position, you then add soap and turn the dial to the wash time you want.

 

[turquoisedude]

OOOH!  Too cool, Jeff.  I'd never have guessed the dials light up!  What an interesting drive system - it'll be interesting to see how fast it spins.  This really is unique - congratulations!!

 

[revvinkevin]

WOW Jeff what an incredible find!   How fun that the dials light up!!

So the transmission is behind the large driven pulley on the drum??

 

Have you done any testing yet?   How much of it works?

 

Thanks!

Kevin

 

[syndets2000]

pre war

jeff, that is such a neat find, I cannot wait to see it....makes me wonder how soon they started manufactoring laundromats after the war...I also recall seeing some early patents here that look alot like this....

 

[syndets2000]

pre war

jeff, that is such a neat find, I cannot wait to see it....makes me wonder how soon they started manufactoring laundromats after the war...I also recall seeing some early patents here that look alot like this....

 

[christfr]

omg way way cool what an awesome find

 

[combo52]

L or L-1 Westinghouse Laundermat Washer

This is indeed a very cool washer, Jerry Gay and Bob Orear delivered and donated it to the Warehouse-Museum about a mouth ago, Many Many Thanks.

According to patent records that Jon Charles found it spins 1,500 revolutions in three minutes, Look Out Unimatics, LOL.

It looks like Jeff may get it going soon, Keep posted for more news.

John L.[this post was last edited: 12/1/2014-21:32]

 

[appnut]

I noticed the spin dry segment on the timer dial was very short.  That 1500 rpm explains that. 

 

[gansky1]

Oh that's super cool Jeff! I couldn't imagine what that transmission looked like when you told me about it, what a surprise. 1500 rpm spin?? That I have to see!

Don't let Jon turn it on before I get there

 

[golittlesport]

Prototype?

With no model number plate, I'm wondering if this might have been a prototype that was put in some homes to test before mass manufacturing. It is very cool. Beautiful machine and lighted dials to boot! Can't wait to see if the cycle sequence is the same as later models. Does the basket look the same? How many vanes? 1500 rpms? Are you serious? So many questions!

 

[jeb]

Westinghouse History

As I understand it these were put a coin laundry here in Mansfield to test them (I have a picture somewhere). During the war they were completely redesigned and after the war Westinghouse did not want to be responsible for repair parts so they offered full trade in for a new Laudromat (you could trade your 5 or 6 year old machine in and pay almost nothing). Jeb

 

[jetcone]

Here is the design patent

October 10 , 1940

 

[jetcone]

F W Perl

designed the post war machine

 

[jetcone]

And the

Streamliner

 

[jetcone]

Here is a

press photo from the 1948 appliance show in Los Angeles
Dated 7/20/48

 

[jetcone]

Jeff

that is STUNNING !

 

Rich might have a point this could be a prototype. Westinghouse paid Bendix the sum of $125,000 in 1938 to get use of the rinse/drain feature Bendix had patented. So in 1938 they were still developing the machine. If this is a 1940 that is only two years later to be building a full commercial model and then the war broke out. 

 

[danemodsandy]

Super Interesting!

It's not every day you see something this history-packed.

I'm very taken with the detail on the load door handle - that looks like a chrome-plated die casting with paint fill in the lettering. Grey or light grey-blue for the "Westinghouse" and dark red for the "Laundromat."

Today's bean-counters would have a hemorrhage over that.

 

[jeff_adelphi]

Spin speed,

The article that Tom S. found said it spun 1500 times in 3 min, = 500 RPM's.

 

[appnut]

LA 1948 appliance show

I wonder if those laundry pairs on display are both a washer and dryer?  Look like they could be.

 

[northwesty]

I am glad someone got one of these

Here is a picture of one that was for sale in Glendale, CA years ago on craigslist. I tried real hard to get this but never got a response from the seller.

 

[northwesty]

Here is another shot

Always wondered what happened to this one...

 

[jeff_adelphi]

Testing so far-

Motor won't run and smokes, taken out for repair and testing. The transmission was stuck in spin mode. I took the rear cover off the trans. and found almost no trace of oil inside. With a little oil got the shifter freed up. Will make a new cover gasket and replace the rear shaft seal, then refill with proper oil. Overall the insides of the trans. look good, no sign of moisture or worn parts.