Philco prototype dryer

[dolphstar73]

I didn't see one of these in your forums, in fact I've never run across another one of these at all so thought you all might be interested. This is a Philco dryer from the early 70's that, as far as I know, was never mass produced. When my dad worked for Philco Ford as a regional service manager we received this dryer and periodically responded to surveys on it. Not long after there was a letter saying the test was over and we could either return the dryer or keep it with the understanding it couldn't be serviced. It's still going and my mom uses it to this day. I recall dad putting a belt on it at some point but, other than that, it has never needed servicing. Looking at the dryers of today it appears well ahead of it's time. I think there may have been a planned washer to match it but I've never seen one.

 

[gansky1]

A Ford in every basement!

Oh, that's cool! It might be a bit older than you remember, Ford sold off the Philco division in the late 60's. Do you have any paperwork or manuals that came with it? What a fun piece of Ford history.

There will undoubtedly be a distinct clamoring for more photos of your dryer, so I'll begin the chorus. More pictures, please!

 

[supersuds]

Ford didn't sell the Philco trademark until 1974, apparently.

Very interesting design! I guess it has a storage drawer underneath?

http://www.at.ford.com/news/cn/Page...the Organization of Aeronutronic Systems.aspx

 

[goatfarmer]

Nice piece of history. Good to see it's still in use.

 

[combo52]

Philco [ Ford } Dryer

Very cool, it looks very much like a GE dryer of that time period with a built-in storage drawer-pedestal.

I would love to see more photos.

John L.

 

[turquoisedude]

Wow!  That's very cool indeed.  This is definitely a treasure - can't wait to see more photos and read more about it!   

 

I am now busy wondering what, if it was planned, the matched washer might have been like...

 

[gansky1]

1974! Wow, had no idea they'd held on to it that long. Does anyone know when they stopped producing appliances in the U.S. with the Philco nameplate on them? Entertainment products?

 

[dolphstar73]

Philco

Thanks for your interest in mom's dryer. I will get more photos of it the next time I am home. I think the dryer is from 70 or 71 since my dad did not work for the factory until then. However, he was a Philco man from the late 40's when he started work for a wholesale distributor of their products after WW2. We always had Philco appliances and TVs in our home. One nice perk of working directly for Philco Ford was he got a shiney new Ford Torino station wagon every year provided by the company.

I am pretty sure Philco Ford existed through 1974 though I am not sure when they stopped manufacturing. They reduced their product lines starting in the early 70's and I can recall dad being concerned for the future. Philco was still sold through wholesalers and as chain stores such as K-mart and Woolco expanded into smaller communities they lost ground. I believe appliances were the first to go with Televisions being the last products they offered. Dad hated the big chains because they didn't service what they sold but low prices won the day.

 

[philr]

That dryer looks great! Thanks for sharing the pics! If you have the chance to take more and show other details like the inner part of the door and the drum, it would be great!

 

The timer knob looks similar to those used on Radaranges!