Maytag Plant #2 - 16mm Film

[cadman]

This week we rewind the clock to 1960 and take a look behind the curtain in Maytag Plant #2. This is unused footage for the previously released film "Eddie, Inc." Pretty cool!

 

[gelaundry4ever]

This week we rewind the clock to 1960 and take a look behind the curtain in Maytag Plant #2. This is unused footage for the previously released film "Eddie, Inc." Pretty cool!

This will be interesting to see.

 

[vacerator]

Those are Highlander machines

 

[gelaundry4ever]

Those are Highlander machines

Why are they called highlander?

 

[Unimatic1140]

This one also has some great shots of the factory at work! Really fascinating to see, thank you again Cory!!!

 

[vacerator]

I didn't know why they're called Highlander models but I learned that on this forum. They have the chrome accent on the cabinet and a red agitator.

 

[circlew]

The Highlander models were considered as budget grade products. I suppose they called them that because it referred to Scotland, and Scottish thriftiness. I remember them using that theme in their advertising I don't know for sure, but maybe Maytag is a Scottish name.

 

[vacerator]

May as in May, tag as in day in Deutsch. Freitag is Friday, also a sir name.
Were there also Bluebird models?

 

[launderess]

The Highlander models were considered as budget grade products. I suppose they called them that because it referred to Scotland, and Scottish thriftiness. I remember them using that theme in their advertising I don't know for sure, but maybe Maytag is a Scottish name.

Yes, Maytag "Highlander" was Scots inspired.

 

[launderess]

The Highlander models were considered as budget grade products. I suppose they called them that because it referred to Scotland, and Scottish thriftiness. I remember them using that theme in their advertising I don't know for sure, but maybe Maytag is a Scottish name.

As pointed out in YT video one linked (Thank You, Cory), Maytag Highlander was introduced as a budget priced line. Dealers needed something to compete with Whirlpool's products being sold via Sears (Kenmore). There one could find something at various price points so Sears didn't lose sales.

Maytag then also didn't have lower priced line dealers could upsell from. Anyone who has done sales knows the score. Lure them in with budget conscious offering and see where that goes. If customer wants something a bit more you can upsell them to higher priced line. OTOH if that fails you can still sell them something.

 

[phillymatt53]

Yes, Maytag "Highlander" was Scots inspired.

I agree, Hyacinth.

 

[launderess]

The Highlander models were considered as budget grade products. I suppose they called them that because it referred to Scotland, and Scottish thriftiness. I remember them using that theme in their advertising I don't know for sure, but maybe Maytag is a Scottish name.

Maytag is anglicized version of German name "Maitag".

In common with many other immigrants at the the time Fred L. Maytag's father changed spelling of his name upon arriving in USA.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Louis_Maytag_I

 

[Chetlaham]

Curious question, but why was the mechanism back serviceable instead of front serviceable at the time?

 

[vacerator]

My guess is production efficiency. A single piece of sheet steel folded to three sides instead of a separate front. Fewer fasteners. My aunt had a set with a gas dryer. A family of nine and they lasted until the late seventies. As my dad was a Sears service tech, she replaced them with Kenmore. She also got a new Kenmore side by side fridge at the same time replacing their 1967 Coldspot sXs.

 

[jamiel]

I just see all those repetitive motion injuries from the guy wiring the fill valves....

 

[phillymatt53]

I just see all those repetitive motion injuries from the guy wiring the fill valves....

It's all part of the working man's life for centuries.
But consider this...
Injuries sustained on the job has its perks too.
And we wouldn't have what we do today if it wern't for manual laborers.

I spent 45+ years in repairs, digging into circuit boards, chassis, climbing under consoles stereos, changing picture tubes, etc.
It kept me fed and paid the bills, among other things.