Here is the design patent
October 10 , 1940
October 10 , 1940
First Westinghouse Laundromat
- Thread starter jeff_adelphi
- Start date
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F W Perl
designed the post war machine
designed the post war machine
And the
Streamliner
Streamliner
Here is a
press photo from the 1948 appliance show in Los Angeles
Dated 7/20/48
press photo from the 1948 appliance show in Los Angeles
Dated 7/20/48
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.
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
Well-known member
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.
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.
Spin speed,
The article that Tom S. found said it spun 1500 times in 3 min, = 500 RPM's.
The article that Tom S. found said it spun 1500 times in 3 min, = 500 RPM's.
LA 1948 appliance show
I wonder if those laundry pairs on display are both a washer and dryer? Look like they could be.
I wonder if those laundry pairs on display are both a washer and dryer? Look like they could be.
northwesty
Well-known member
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.
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
Well-known member
Here is another shot
Always wondered what happened to this one...
Always wondered what happened to this one...
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.
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.
hippiedoll
Well-known member
VERY COOL!!!
i'm not too hip to westinghouse washers, but this one is definitely a GREAT find loaded with american history. reading about this front loader is very interesting. i'll keep checking this thread to see your progress and hopefully soon, we'll get to see some washing videos!!!
GOOD LUCK with the restoration. i hope it's not too difficult for you!!!
keeping my fingers crossed for you........
;o)
i'm not too hip to westinghouse washers, but this one is definitely a GREAT find loaded with american history. reading about this front loader is very interesting. i'll keep checking this thread to see your progress and hopefully soon, we'll get to see some washing videos!!!
GOOD LUCK with the restoration. i hope it's not too difficult for you!!!
keeping my fingers crossed for you........
;o)
arbilab
Well-known member
Ours (my first) was barely postwar, most closely resembling the 1948 'show' pic. No pump filter, no pump belt, wheel-to-wheel drive solenoid engaged, entire lower skirt came off. Suspension was L&R + rear coil, top/side/bottom leaf snubber. Water metering was off the bottom leaf-- weight. Single dial set wash duration and temp H/W/C. Rinse was W. Spray rinse during both wash and rinse spins. Yeh, 500RPM sounds right, definitely not 1500.
What a great, historically significant find! Congratulations and keep us posted as to the progress toward its first load.
500 rpm: Only 15 rpm slower than the 1980 first-issue WCI-made Frigidaire top-loader!
500 rpm: Only 15 rpm slower than the 1980 first-issue WCI-made Frigidaire top-loader!
norgeway
Well-known member
And I can testify!
It weighs a TON!! I found it on Craigslist, it came from MtAiry NC, Andy Griffiths hometown.
It weighs a TON!! I found it on Craigslist, it came from MtAiry NC, Andy Griffiths hometown.
Patent drawing,
Here's a patent drawing that Jon C. found showing a section thru the transmission. The tub support bearings are part of the trans. and are lubricated by the oil inside.
Here's a patent drawing that Jon C. found showing a section thru the transmission. The tub support bearings are part of the trans. and are lubricated by the oil inside.
This is fascinating...
Having worked in engineering for 30 years these discoveries
really grab my interest. It's amazing to me the things that we were
doing in those early years of the technology boom.
Jeff, one question I have is, is this a hard mount/bolt down machine
or a suspension machine? It's a little hard to tell from the pictures
so far.
Bill
Having worked in engineering for 30 years these discoveries
really grab my interest. It's amazing to me the things that we were
doing in those early years of the technology boom.
Jeff, one question I have is, is this a hard mount/bolt down machine
or a suspension machine? It's a little hard to tell from the pictures
so far.
Bill
This is a suspended model with 3 springs and 5 snubbers.
