Is this Maytag timeline accurate?

[woodjack99]

1966: Center-dial generation debuts
1972: crystal knob introduced
1975: panel bottom changed to cold

1981: Brown/woodgrain, right dial generation debuts
1984: buttons changed from ivory to brown
1989: transmission changed from Pitman helical to short-stroke orbital

1990: “Dependable Care” series debuts
1994: panel changed from black to white, etc.

 

[swestoyz]

You're on track. A few adjustments -

Wash Power Automatics debut with the 06 series - January 1966

The crystal plastic knob debuted on the A806 in November 1971 but wasn't fully released across the board for all models (sans 106) until the 08 series machines in '75

The 10 series machines came out in 1980, and with the 12 series updates in '84 the woodgrain backfill of the panel was dropped

The four digit model number change in 1990 was initially called the "1990" series with the change over to a black panel (xx00 model number). IIRC the Dependable Care name wasn't used until either the '94 update with the white panel change (xx04 model number) or if it aligned with the '97 rounded panel update. That part I'm a bit fuzzy on.

https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?22010

Ben

 

[appnut]

Bem, Dependable Care moniker was released in 1994. I bought my DC dryer 12/1994.

 

[tomturbomatic]

I don't know what you mean by "Center Dial Generation" but the center dial machines debuted in the mid-late 50s, about 1957, maybe. The first center dial washers had the water level, mercury lid safety switch and OOB switch in the lid, unless they were Highlander machines, I think.

 

[qsd-dan]

Does anyone know when the enlarge lid/tub opening commenced? I thought it was in 1994 but it may have been in late '93. There was a very brief moment when the larger tub model had a black console but then switched to white. I wonder if both colors were available for a short period of time before white became the only option?

 

[swestoyz]

That's right, Bob!

And, that is a good question, Dan.  The only reference I was able to find was in a October 1993 edition of Let's Talk Service, where the new Dependable Care models were being introduced.  In the photo you can see the large lid with a black control panel, but the model listing is the 1994 04 series machines that would have had a white control panel. 

 

[combo52]

Maytag Washer history

Mostly correct, Center dial MT washers came out in 1956

 

All two belt MTs were helical drive, did not matter the type of transmission.

 

[qsd-dan]

I believe the very first center dial Maytag was still using the AMP mechanism...140?

 

[swestoyz]

the very first center dial Maytag was still using...

The Maytag model by year charts put both the 123 and 140 out in 1956. LTS doesn't discuss anything 123 related until the 1957 editions; the 140 does come up in the fall of '56.

Ben

 

[qsd-dan]

Thanks Ben!