People walked into the fireboxes on ships boilers,too.And they climbed into the engine cylinders of VERY large Deisel engines on the ships-At work out here there are some guys who used to be in the Navy or Coast Guard.And one of them-who was short and thin-he's retired now,but so handy to get into those tight transmitter places----he used to clean the barrels of 16" guns on a battleship.they would tie a line to him---after the gun made SAFE of course---he would climb down the barrel and do his cleaning,inspection.If a gun like that could launch a 1 ton shell at 2,700FPS-imagine what would happen to a person!
Martha Stewart's Laundry Room
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Drying cabinets and asbestos
One of the less desirable effects of drying cabinets is that there was not a breeze to move things as they dried, just heat and stuff tended to dry stiff. This was not so bad for flatwork, but it was not so great for other things like terry towels.
Asbestos suits for cleaning boilers & guns, as well as all of the other asbestos-related aspects of ship building--no wonder the mesothelioma ads on TV mention service in the navy and ship building industry as some of the fields which exposed workers to asbestos.
Theaters, the kind with a real stage, not just a screen, were required by fire laws to have an asbestos panel that hung above the prosceneum opening so that if a fire broke out backstage, the panel could be dropped rapidly to confine the fire to the backstage area and protect the audience. It dropped with such speed that when the bottom rail that held the panel rigid hit the stage, the whole thing would sort of ripple from bottom to top and, unless it was decorative and painted like in more deluxe theaters, it had "ASBESTOS" printed in large letters on it. Old cartoons of the 30s and 40s, such as Popeye and related offerings from other animation studios would often show this at the end of an animation skit when it was set in a theater. They would show all of the various layers of stage curtains closing, some closing from side to side and some dropping from the fly space, and the final one would be the asbestos panel descending. It signified finality and my brother and I adopted it as a code word for the final end of something that had usually gone badly. The fire laws stated that the curtain had to be tested or operated at least once daily.
A nugget of knowledge for youngsters who might not have been taught this in school: Skene is the Greek word for the building or structure forming the background for dramatic performances. Pro + skene meant in front of that or on the stage. Ob + skene meant off or behind the stage because it was too horrible to show the audience, like when Oedipus blinds himself by poking out his eyes after realizing he is married to his mother and from that we get the word obscene.
One of the less desirable effects of drying cabinets is that there was not a breeze to move things as they dried, just heat and stuff tended to dry stiff. This was not so bad for flatwork, but it was not so great for other things like terry towels.
Asbestos suits for cleaning boilers & guns, as well as all of the other asbestos-related aspects of ship building--no wonder the mesothelioma ads on TV mention service in the navy and ship building industry as some of the fields which exposed workers to asbestos.
Theaters, the kind with a real stage, not just a screen, were required by fire laws to have an asbestos panel that hung above the prosceneum opening so that if a fire broke out backstage, the panel could be dropped rapidly to confine the fire to the backstage area and protect the audience. It dropped with such speed that when the bottom rail that held the panel rigid hit the stage, the whole thing would sort of ripple from bottom to top and, unless it was decorative and painted like in more deluxe theaters, it had "ASBESTOS" printed in large letters on it. Old cartoons of the 30s and 40s, such as Popeye and related offerings from other animation studios would often show this at the end of an animation skit when it was set in a theater. They would show all of the various layers of stage curtains closing, some closing from side to side and some dropping from the fly space, and the final one would be the asbestos panel descending. It signified finality and my brother and I adopted it as a code word for the final end of something that had usually gone badly. The fire laws stated that the curtain had to be tested or operated at least once daily.
A nugget of knowledge for youngsters who might not have been taught this in school: Skene is the Greek word for the building or structure forming the background for dramatic performances. Pro + skene meant in front of that or on the stage. Ob + skene meant off or behind the stage because it was too horrible to show the audience, like when Oedipus blinds himself by poking out his eyes after realizing he is married to his mother and from that we get the word obscene.
firedome
Well-known member
Seems like the nouveau riche always become WASP wannabes, she being no exception apparently trying to "rise above" her origins as a poor girl of Polish extraction from the questionable side of the tracks. I've always found her unsufferable myself. She's not a bad lookin' old bat for 70 yrs old, however ...I'm sure all those personal trainers, personal chefs and unlimited domestic help didn't exactly hurt.
Asbestos
Like so many other things was deemed a miracle substance at the time. One could find the stuff everywhere there was heat or flame. From ironing pads and covers to pot holders, wire insulation, and so forth. By the time word got out scores of thousands were exposed to the stuff and faced or had health problems.
The breath of the problem is the reason the court actions continue after going on for generations now and show no signs of slowing down.
One problem is the stuff is literally everywhere. Despite warnings you have no idea how many persons purchase an older home and start ripping out asbestos insulation without proper precautions. Scrappers and others working on old boilers same thing.
Like so many other things was deemed a miracle substance at the time. One could find the stuff everywhere there was heat or flame. From ironing pads and covers to pot holders, wire insulation, and so forth. By the time word got out scores of thousands were exposed to the stuff and faced or had health problems.
The breath of the problem is the reason the court actions continue after going on for generations now and show no signs of slowing down.
One problem is the stuff is literally everywhere. Despite warnings you have no idea how many persons purchase an older home and start ripping out asbestos insulation without proper precautions. Scrappers and others working on old boilers same thing.
Johns-Manville
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Johns-Manville, to name only one company knee-deep into the production of asbestos (it was "The Miracle Mineral" at the 1939 NY World's Fair, after all) knew quite well, as early as the 1930's the scourge of both asbestosis and mesothelioma. The fact Johns-Manville and other corporations carried-on for decades, claiming to "know-nothing" about the deadly side-effects only begins to touch upon the great lengths corporations will go to protect their profitable self interests.</span>
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span>
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">And as for the Maven of Domesticity - at the very least she appears uncomfortable in her own skin, while she obsessives over one bit of minutae, only to have it eclipsed by the next object of her obsessive desire. Whether it be her odd pronunciations of 'knife'; 'herbs'; or 'potato', to name but a few, or her singular-pinpoint focus on folding a slip of paper. (Sure hasn't interfered with her business savvy, though). If she hasn't Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, I don't know who does.</span>
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Johns-Manville, to name only one company knee-deep into the production of asbestos (it was "The Miracle Mineral" at the 1939 NY World's Fair, after all) knew quite well, as early as the 1930's the scourge of both asbestosis and mesothelioma. The fact Johns-Manville and other corporations carried-on for decades, claiming to "know-nothing" about the deadly side-effects only begins to touch upon the great lengths corporations will go to protect their profitable self interests.</span>
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span>
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">And as for the Maven of Domesticity - at the very least she appears uncomfortable in her own skin, while she obsessives over one bit of minutae, only to have it eclipsed by the next object of her obsessive desire. Whether it be her odd pronunciations of 'knife'; 'herbs'; or 'potato', to name but a few, or her singular-pinpoint focus on folding a slip of paper. (Sure hasn't interfered with her business savvy, though). If she hasn't Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, I don't know who does.</span>
What One Wants To Know
Is what poor soul or souls is charged with keeping that laundry room spic and span. I mean everything shines from top down and all in between. Given how must dust and such laundry generates not to mention just general household dirt it must be a treat having to keep that place clean.
Is what poor soul or souls is charged with keeping that laundry room spic and span. I mean everything shines from top down and all in between. Given how must dust and such laundry generates not to mention just general household dirt it must be a treat having to keep that place clean.
Too bad Martha gives such short shrift to the washers that might have been there.
But I did spot a Neptune 7500 front loading washer in one of the photos. And a non-descript top loader next to it.
I would have thought there should be some institutional size 40 lb or bigger front loaders in that basement. With all that linen, they'd be needed for sure.
Or maybe she makes all her help wash everything by hand with a washtub and a washboard?
But I did spot a Neptune 7500 front loading washer in one of the photos. And a non-descript top loader next to it.
I would have thought there should be some institutional size 40 lb or bigger front loaders in that basement. With all that linen, they'd be needed for sure.
Or maybe she makes all her help wash everything by hand with a washtub and a washboard?
Am Going Out On A Limb To Suggest
That grand laundry room is where Miss. Stewart has her linens and finer household laundry done. There has to be something else for every day laundry.
For one thing one does not see a tumble dryer, and given the climate during much of the year laundry isn't going out on the lines, nor will everything dry well in that cabinet dryer.
Also refuse to believe that Martha Stewart settles for one Maytag Neptune and a top loader for her regular laundry. Trust me there's a Miele or other equally high end W&D set stashed somewhere on that estate. *LOL*
That grand laundry room is where Miss. Stewart has her linens and finer household laundry done. There has to be something else for every day laundry.
For one thing one does not see a tumble dryer, and given the climate during much of the year laundry isn't going out on the lines, nor will everything dry well in that cabinet dryer.
Also refuse to believe that Martha Stewart settles for one Maytag Neptune and a top loader for her regular laundry. Trust me there's a Miele or other equally high end W&D set stashed somewhere on that estate. *LOL*
Yes, Martha probably has a secret laundry room with the latest modern Miele or Electrolux offerings. Probably four of each.
I like some of her product ideas. The little alarm clock I picked up at K-mart some while ago is simple and great. The gardening tools were good too. All that seems to have gone now, I guess she's a publishing maven or something now.
But I've read enough stories about her mean and domineering personality not to like the woman personally. It is impressive how she's worked a slim amount of talent and training into an empire, though.
I like some of her product ideas. The little alarm clock I picked up at K-mart some while ago is simple and great. The gardening tools were good too. All that seems to have gone now, I guess she's a publishing maven or something now.
But I've read enough stories about her mean and domineering personality not to like the woman personally. It is impressive how she's worked a slim amount of talent and training into an empire, though.
Just So You Know
Skylands was the "summer" home of the late Edsel Ford (Henry Ford's son), and his family. Located in Seal Harbor, the "cottage" was one of many where the rich, wealthy and powerful American families spent their summers. Think of it as Newport in the woods.
The "cottage" was sold in the 1970's to another family and recently to Miss. Stewart. Yes, tons of linens, china, furniture and other goodies were left by the previous owners but not sure if they belonged to the Fords and or Leedes.
Skylands was the "summer" home of the late Edsel Ford (Henry Ford's son), and his family. Located in Seal Harbor, the "cottage" was one of many where the rich, wealthy and powerful American families spent their summers. Think of it as Newport in the woods.
The "cottage" was sold in the 1970's to another family and recently to Miss. Stewart. Yes, tons of linens, china, furniture and other goodies were left by the previous owners but not sure if they belonged to the Fords and or Leedes.
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habituallychic.blogspot.com
To Sudsmaster
In that laundry room, I kept expecting to see some kind of large capacity Milnor, Huebsch, Wascomat or Unimac machine of around 50-75 lb capacity. Instead, all I see is a 1980's vintage Maytag top loader and a early/mid 2000's Neptune.
What a disappointment. She's got a bloody flatwork ironer there, that machine must have cost a pretty penny.
In saying that, I was kind of surprised to see a stand alone extractor. Maybe it was something which was original to the room and she never bothered getting rid of it.
Apparently, Staber still makes drying cabinets. I wouldn't mind getting my hands on a rotary iron either.. it would be like killing a fly with a rocket launcher in our house..
Maybe perhaps the washers there are meant for smaller finishing work, like specifically cleaning items which are very heavily stained which the larger machines couldn't get out?
In that laundry room, I kept expecting to see some kind of large capacity Milnor, Huebsch, Wascomat or Unimac machine of around 50-75 lb capacity. Instead, all I see is a 1980's vintage Maytag top loader and a early/mid 2000's Neptune.
What a disappointment. She's got a bloody flatwork ironer there, that machine must have cost a pretty penny.
In saying that, I was kind of surprised to see a stand alone extractor. Maybe it was something which was original to the room and she never bothered getting rid of it.
Apparently, Staber still makes drying cabinets. I wouldn't mind getting my hands on a rotary iron either.. it would be like killing a fly with a rocket launcher in our house..
Maybe perhaps the washers there are meant for smaller finishing work, like specifically cleaning items which are very heavily stained which the larger machines couldn't get out?
Montex
Extractor like the drying cabinet are 1930's or so era laundry equipment so therefore likely original to the house.
Remember though there were washing machines for domestic use then, most all water was either wrung by hand or put through a mangle. It would take awhile longer before washing machines with automatic spin cycles came along.
OTHO commercial laundries long had extractors (this is why you still see the term washer/extractor referring to industrial washers that perform both functions).
Laundry was washed either by hand or machine then moved (sopping wet) over to extractors to be spun dry. Extractors could be had in large homes such as Skylands where there was not only electric power (something not every home had then), but could be bolted down as well.
Though one owns a wringer my extractors (separate spin dryer and the spin portion of the Hoover TT) are a treat after washing items by hand. Far easier than using a mangle and better results.
Oh about Ms. Stewart and "funds" it is very difficult to separate just what is hers versus the company's. In fact often they are the same. Am willing to bet that home and or the things in it are some how written off because Martha uses them for business purposes. I mean she does film many of her shows at her various houses, and her books and magazines are full of pictures of her doing things there.
Extractor like the drying cabinet are 1930's or so era laundry equipment so therefore likely original to the house.
Remember though there were washing machines for domestic use then, most all water was either wrung by hand or put through a mangle. It would take awhile longer before washing machines with automatic spin cycles came along.
OTHO commercial laundries long had extractors (this is why you still see the term washer/extractor referring to industrial washers that perform both functions).
Laundry was washed either by hand or machine then moved (sopping wet) over to extractors to be spun dry. Extractors could be had in large homes such as Skylands where there was not only electric power (something not every home had then), but could be bolted down as well.
Though one owns a wringer my extractors (separate spin dryer and the spin portion of the Hoover TT) are a treat after washing items by hand. Far easier than using a mangle and better results.
Oh about Ms. Stewart and "funds" it is very difficult to separate just what is hers versus the company's. In fact often they are the same. Am willing to bet that home and or the things in it are some how written off because Martha uses them for business purposes. I mean she does film many of her shows at her various houses, and her books and magazines are full of pictures of her doing things there.
Aside from the Maytag, and a few other bits
Most of the items in that laundry room are from the 1930's to about the 1950's or so. The drying cabinet, those heavy porcelain sinks, irons, ironing boards et al are all in a vintage commercial laundry manual in my collection that was printed in the 1930's. The ironers maybe a bit later as they run on electric power (many in the 1930's ran on gas or steam, but some for home use ran on electric).
Apparently the family who first purchased the home from the Ford family did extensive work on the interior and decorations including furnishings and the linens. So no doubt someone one was in there using all that equipment.
Most of the items in that laundry room are from the 1930's to about the 1950's or so. The drying cabinet, those heavy porcelain sinks, irons, ironing boards et al are all in a vintage commercial laundry manual in my collection that was printed in the 1930's. The ironers maybe a bit later as they run on electric power (many in the 1930's ran on gas or steam, but some for home use ran on electric).
Apparently the family who first purchased the home from the Ford family did extensive work on the interior and decorations including furnishings and the linens. So no doubt someone one was in there using all that equipment.
And Furthermore To That Those Flatwork Ironers
Are probably replacements for vintage units that used to occupy the same space.
Ironers today are vastly more safe to operate than those from the 1930's, especially those that used gas to provide heat.
Are probably replacements for vintage units that used to occupy the same space.
Ironers today are vastly more safe to operate than those from the 1930's, especially those that used gas to provide heat.
¡¡¡¡Viva La Stewart!!!!
Well, I didn't know whether to expect a vintage centuries-old wash house cavern, or Martha flaunting her wealth by sporting some molecular modern day futuristic laundry tavern!
-- Dave
Well, I didn't know whether to expect a vintage centuries-old wash house cavern, or Martha flaunting her wealth by sporting some molecular modern day futuristic laundry tavern!
-- Dave
The home probably had wringer washers for decades since they had "staff" to do the actual work and those deep, back-breaking sinks were used for rinsing although the slanted front was made for hand scrubbing with a washboard. College friends lived in the basement of an Inman Park mansion in Atlanta and their "kitchen" was the old laundry and there were two of those sinks. They had to put the dishpan up on a support to wash dishes because of the depth of the sinks.
In my last year in college I rented a studio apartment (bedroom, bath, kitchen) in an older home that had been converted over to three units. The kitchen sink was a double affair with a deep laundry tub on the right, and a more shallow kitchen size sink on the left. The water heater was right next to it on the right. I hated that thing, because it looked funky and it seemed unsanitary to have a board on top of the deep sink for the dish drainer, and I never used the deep sink, but that was in 1974. I would rather have had a real sink setup with a cabinet under the sink and a set of drawers to the righ where the deep sink was. Today I'd probably have gotten an vintage washer to park in there and use the deep sink as a suds saver, lol. But there was a good laundromat around the corner ("Central Launderette") that today sports the original steel and neon sign over the front which has been very well restored to its former glory.[this post was last edited: 12/24/2011-16:25]
Miss. Stewart's Attitude
Apparently there is some truth to what a previous poster who lives in the area of Skylands stated. Ms. Stewart does appear to have some "issues". *LOL*
Whilst looking up information yesterday (see above posts) a few local bloggers posted tales of what happens to those even *thinking* of getting too close to Ms. Stewart's summer cottage.
The drive is paved with a pink coloured gravel which is taken up, cleaned and returned at least yearly. Persons blundering onto Skyland property either by accident or otherwise are quickly surrounded by *suits* emerging from dark large SUVs that will keep the clueless persons around long enough for Madame to tell off about "private property" before being sent on their way. Otherwise the suits simply do their job.
Mind you the place is located in the woods and it is easy to wander onto someone's yard.
Deep laundry sinks are a boon for washing but especially rinsing. There were mangles that could be fitted onto the divider between double sinks so wash could go from one side to the other wrung out.
If the laundry was boiled it was advised to have the laundry stove as close to the sinks as possible so hot wash could be transferred to the first rinising sink easily.
Of course when washing machines came along (semi-automatics, wringers, twin tubs etc) those deep sinks were great as one could send wash through the machine's wringer into the deep sink for rinsing. With twin tubs some housewives/laundresses prefered to to deep rinses in a tub or sink then transfer to the spinner to be spun dry.
Apparently there is some truth to what a previous poster who lives in the area of Skylands stated. Ms. Stewart does appear to have some "issues". *LOL*
Whilst looking up information yesterday (see above posts) a few local bloggers posted tales of what happens to those even *thinking* of getting too close to Ms. Stewart's summer cottage.
The drive is paved with a pink coloured gravel which is taken up, cleaned and returned at least yearly. Persons blundering onto Skyland property either by accident or otherwise are quickly surrounded by *suits* emerging from dark large SUVs that will keep the clueless persons around long enough for Madame to tell off about "private property" before being sent on their way. Otherwise the suits simply do their job.
Mind you the place is located in the woods and it is easy to wander onto someone's yard.
Deep laundry sinks are a boon for washing but especially rinsing. There were mangles that could be fitted onto the divider between double sinks so wash could go from one side to the other wrung out.
If the laundry was boiled it was advised to have the laundry stove as close to the sinks as possible so hot wash could be transferred to the first rinising sink easily.
Of course when washing machines came along (semi-automatics, wringers, twin tubs etc) those deep sinks were great as one could send wash through the machine's wringer into the deep sink for rinsing. With twin tubs some housewives/laundresses prefered to to deep rinses in a tub or sink then transfer to the spinner to be spun dry.
Pfffftt...
That is not a laundry room; it is a linen processing plant. And an iron museum.
We have much better laundry rooms around here.
Please, Martha.
Again I say, "Pffffftt."
That is not a laundry room; it is a linen processing plant. And an iron museum.
We have much better laundry rooms around here.
Please, Martha.
Again I say, "Pffffftt."
