I know I've seen them... Ads for old fridges that speak of more efficient designs, electricity savings, etc. Maybe something even exists for washers, etc. Can anyone point me towards a few? I'm looking to make the point (in another forum) that our so-called enlightened generation isn't the first to concern itself with energy usage.
Old ads touting energy efficiency
- Thread starter carmine
- Start date
I don't recall aobut appliances but I do have an ad from I think Pontiac from the 30's or 40's stating it supposedly gets over 30mpgs. I'll have to locate it again and post it here.
I have some 1930s and 40s fridge ads that talk about low current consumption. I'll see if I can find some today.
Ford and Mercury ads in the 30s talked about mileage. That's why Ford introduced the small 60 hpV8, because some folks thought the 85 hp V8 was a gas guzzler. Chevrolet and Plymouth were 6 cyl back then and used less gas, reputedly.
Ford and Mercury ads in the 30s talked about mileage. That's why Ford introduced the small 60 hpV8, because some folks thought the 85 hp V8 was a gas guzzler. Chevrolet and Plymouth were 6 cyl back then and used less gas, reputedly.
Didn't some ads for Westinghouse (circa 1950s-60s) front-loaders talk about savings in the areas of water---especially hot water---as well as detergent/bleach?
turquoisedude
Well-known member
I've seen Westinghouse ads about saving hot water and detergent, but I am sure I'd seen Frigidaire washer ads that said their machine used less hot water, too.
I also think that early Whirlpool washers claimed 'water savings' thanks to the suds-saver feature on some machines.
I also think that early Whirlpool washers claimed 'water savings' thanks to the suds-saver feature on some machines.
Here are some quick shots
Frigidaire Meter-Miser slashes current costs to the bone.
Frigidaire Meter-Miser slashes current costs to the bone.
GE, thriftiest of all.
Olds economy.
The auto ads are actually pretty easy to find (not to diminish the prior posts 
Even into the "modern era". You know, when the only work being done in eeeevil Detroit was building musclecars (which were handily outsold by 6 cylinder cars that everyone has forgotten).
The point I'm trying to make in the other forum is that the general trend of all manufactured goods is fuel/electricity efficiency. Sometimes the trend line is interrupted by added features (like electric defrost and butter warmers), but eventually things become more efficient AND retain the added features.
If you consider the big push to portray refrigerators as public enemy #1 in the battle against "climate change", it's actually fairly ridiculous. You could very easily be dumping a more efficient model (with fewer features) for a unit that consumes more electricity. Now I'll acknowledge that high-line models from the 60s-80s are the worst, but I'd also bet that more "energy" is wasted prematurely replacing units that are dwindling just by attrition, or used infrequently.
When I consider that my '64 Frigidaire has out-lasted zillions of newer units, and thus doesn't require me to buy a replacement made in a nation with few environmental regulations, transported 7000 miles on a heavy-crude burning container ship, then handled and transported multiple times on the way from a California port before it's plugged into a socket to last 7-8 years; I sleep pretty well at night!
Even into the "modern era". You know, when the only work being done in eeeevil Detroit was building musclecars (which were handily outsold by 6 cylinder cars that everyone has forgotten).
The point I'm trying to make in the other forum is that the general trend of all manufactured goods is fuel/electricity efficiency. Sometimes the trend line is interrupted by added features (like electric defrost and butter warmers), but eventually things become more efficient AND retain the added features.
If you consider the big push to portray refrigerators as public enemy #1 in the battle against "climate change", it's actually fairly ridiculous. You could very easily be dumping a more efficient model (with fewer features) for a unit that consumes more electricity. Now I'll acknowledge that high-line models from the 60s-80s are the worst, but I'd also bet that more "energy" is wasted prematurely replacing units that are dwindling just by attrition, or used infrequently.
When I consider that my '64 Frigidaire has out-lasted zillions of newer units, and thus doesn't require me to buy a replacement made in a nation with few environmental regulations, transported 7000 miles on a heavy-crude burning container ship, then handled and transported multiple times on the way from a California port before it's plugged into a socket to last 7-8 years; I sleep pretty well at night!
"Auto ads are pretty easy to find." Okay, but no word of thanks for the fridge ads that took me an hour to dig out? Why do I bother....
cornutt
Well-known member
Carmine, you're absolutely right. There is this perception that people in the '50s and '60s were wasteful and didn't care what things cost, which could not be farther from the truth. A lot of things that we take for granted now (e.g., televisions) were pretty expensive back in the day, and people were always looking for ways to pinch pennies in other areas so they could afford a few "luxury" items like a clothes dryer or a dishwasher or a color TV. Admittedly, a lot of those appliances weren't as efficient as modern ones, but that was due to limitations of technology, not lack of concern. And arguably, the efficiencies of today's appliances have come at a cost of performance and quality, which makes a lot of it a false economy.
Supersuds, thank You! The Frigidaire eliminates "cube struggle" and " ice famine". That tagline would have caused me to hurry to my Frigidaire dealer to ask. "Is the Frigidaire right for me?" I don't know about Knoxville, it was mighty hot in the big "M" today. Thanks again for the
. Arthur
whirlaway
New member
Early Color TV
My 1956 RCA ctc5,I think uses 375 Watts running,thats not so bad compared to some of the newer flat screens,and of course in 1956 your home didnt have all of these current eaters on standby like we have today.All of my appliances are pre 1960 including my 1930 Fridgidair,my bill last month was 49 dollars and that includes my 1935 Capehart,and other tube radios and phonos.A 1955 Kenmore washer and dryer,so Im not complaning.
My 1956 RCA ctc5,I think uses 375 Watts running,thats not so bad compared to some of the newer flat screens,and of course in 1956 your home didnt have all of these current eaters on standby like we have today.All of my appliances are pre 1960 including my 1930 Fridgidair,my bill last month was 49 dollars and that includes my 1935 Capehart,and other tube radios and phonos.A 1955 Kenmore washer and dryer,so Im not complaning.
I remember ads for the Norge refrigerator with the "Rollator" compressor touting its economy. The deep well in most electric ranges was a feature that was advertised as economical to use. Some brands even had lids for the kettle that had insulation in them. They could not be immersed for cleaning. Many early brands of electric ranges talked about how much cooking could be done with the current off and some electric ranges talked about how few minutes out of an hour that the current was on for baking. Even the oven window was touted as a money saver because you did not have to open the door to see how cooking was progressing.
Westinghouse tumbler washer advertising stressed that they used half the water and detergent of top loaders. Some ads even said to look on the back of a box of detergent if you wanted proof, but I realize that's not direct electrical saving unless water was heated electrically.
Westinghouse tumbler washer advertising stressed that they used half the water and detergent of top loaders. Some ads even said to look on the back of a box of detergent if you wanted proof, but I realize that's not direct electrical saving unless water was heated electrically.
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