I've never heard of a combo washer/dishwasher before. Did these things actually sell for any period of time? Does anyone own one?
Gary
Gary
Pic of the Day - Thor Automagic Washer
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Yes, they did. And, yes, I do.
Ron
Ron
Consumer Reports of the 1950's
Rated those Thor washers as pretty decent performance wise. However they did note a tendency to shake and or vibrate during spinning if load was unbalanced. If one has time later will look up the exact review and prices.
The dishwasher unit was sold separately and was not a universal hit with housewives. Even post-war households where seemingly every mother on the block had two or more kiddos in diapers, just couldn't get past the "ick" factor of washing them or any other laundry in same machine as dishes. Since laundry was often the larger dreaded chore if a household could only afford to spring for once appliance; Madame chose a washing machine.
Rated those Thor washers as pretty decent performance wise. However they did note a tendency to shake and or vibrate during spinning if load was unbalanced. If one has time later will look up the exact review and prices.
The dishwasher unit was sold separately and was not a universal hit with housewives. Even post-war households where seemingly every mother on the block had two or more kiddos in diapers, just couldn't get past the "ick" factor of washing them or any other laundry in same machine as dishes. Since laundry was often the larger dreaded chore if a household could only afford to spring for once appliance; Madame chose a washing machine.
frigidaireguy
Well-known member
Have never seen
A Thor with the selector like this one. This must have been one of the later model Thor machines.
A Thor with the selector like this one. This must have been one of the later model Thor machines.
Wealthy friends in Ottawa, IL had one and staff to operate it. After the table was cleared and conversation slowed, mom and the lady of the house made their way to a part of the kitchen where the Thor had done the washing and rinsing. They each picked up a dish towel and assisted the lady in the kitchen in wiping the remaining droplets of water from the dishware. It was so genteel that it almost could have been done while wearing dress gloves. The dishes were shaking slightly because the spinning water pan could be kept moving to create air currents to hasten the drying. I remember the semi-circular drive and the green tiled fountain in the entry staircase. We were leaving shortly to live in Georgia so I only had the one experience with the Thor.
lordkenmore
Well-known member
>Even post-war households where seemingly every mother on the block had two or more kiddos in diapers, just couldn't get past the "ick" factor of washing them or any other laundry in same machine as dishes.
That ick factor gets me, even though I don't have any any kids in diapers.
Although supposedly, according to the ad, the dish parts are separate from the washer parts. Small clipping from the POD ad:
That ick factor gets me, even though I don't have any any kids in diapers.
Although supposedly, according to the ad, the dish parts are separate from the washer parts. Small clipping from the POD ad:
lordkenmore
Well-known member
I suppose lack of sales/popularity of the DW attachment could also have been from other issues. How much did the dish attachment cost? If enough, people might "think about it for one day." And then never get around to it... Or else just decide to wait until the baby in diapers is big enough to wash dishes, thus saving the cost of any mechanical gadget. (Even in the 1980s, when I grew up, there were apparently parents who took that attitude: Why spend $$$ at Sears for something the kids can do for $0?)
Then another factor might have been the kitchen space. Is it big enough for doing the laundry? Or should the washer go to its accustomed home home in the cellar? If in the cellar, it would be less than convenient for doing the dishes. (Trust me: this idea came up for me, once. A dishwasher is My Big Dream, and someone suggested it'd be easier to install it in the laundry room. He made a good point as far as space and plumbing issues, but all I could think of was the pain of the long trips carrying dishes out and back again.)
Then another factor might have been the kitchen space. Is it big enough for doing the laundry? Or should the washer go to its accustomed home home in the cellar? If in the cellar, it would be less than convenient for doing the dishes. (Trust me: this idea came up for me, once. A dishwasher is My Big Dream, and someone suggested it'd be easier to install it in the laundry room. He made a good point as far as space and plumbing issues, but all I could think of was the pain of the long trips carrying dishes out and back again.)
Acceptable:
Semi-Automatic Washing Machines:
Thor Automagic (Hurley Machine Div.....)
Model 200C $199.50, NLA. Replaced by model #222
Tub for dishwashing available for an extra $69.95
Washing ability better than that of any automatic machine tested.
Rated capacity 8 lb. Tub capacity 10 gal. Agitator-type washer. cleaning ability above average. Did not require bolting to floor. Machine finished in enamel. tumbler had porcelain finish; plastic agitator. Washing and spin drying in same tub, requiring no handling of clothes from start to finish. Number and length of washings, rinsings and spinning entirely optional, non-automatic.
That was from the 1950 CR review. Will have to research further through the decade worth of issues on file to see if CR did an update. Clearly either one was mistaken about how CR felt about Thor washers or am recalling a different review.
Semi-Automatic Washing Machines:
Thor Automagic (Hurley Machine Div.....)
Model 200C $199.50, NLA. Replaced by model #222
Tub for dishwashing available for an extra $69.95
Washing ability better than that of any automatic machine tested.
Rated capacity 8 lb. Tub capacity 10 gal. Agitator-type washer. cleaning ability above average. Did not require bolting to floor. Machine finished in enamel. tumbler had porcelain finish; plastic agitator. Washing and spin drying in same tub, requiring no handling of clothes from start to finish. Number and length of washings, rinsings and spinning entirely optional, non-automatic.
That was from the 1950 CR review. Will have to research further through the decade worth of issues on file to see if CR did an update. Clearly either one was mistaken about how CR felt about Thor washers or am recalling a different review.
arbilab
Well-known member
inflation
The $70 1950 dish tub is $691 today. So yeah, something to think about.
The $70 1950 dish tub is $691 today. So yeah, something to think about.
To put things into perspective...
See: http://www.mybudget360.com/cost-of-living-2014-inflation-1950-vs-2014-data-housing-cars-college/
As one stated earlier if a family pushed was going between a washing machine and a dishwasher but could afford only one back then: the washing machine almost always won.
Dishwashers didn't become a stable mod con far as one can tell until really fairly recently (like the 1980's or 1990's). Growing up in the 1970's plenty of homes in our street didn't have automatic dishwashers. They had several children per so guess it was the same thing....*LOL*
I'd take doing lots of dishes by hand over a mountain of laundry via the same method any day of the week.
See: http://www.mybudget360.com/cost-of-living-2014-inflation-1950-vs-2014-data-housing-cars-college/
As one stated earlier if a family pushed was going between a washing machine and a dishwasher but could afford only one back then: the washing machine almost always won.
Dishwashers didn't become a stable mod con far as one can tell until really fairly recently (like the 1980's or 1990's). Growing up in the 1970's plenty of homes in our street didn't have automatic dishwashers. They had several children per so guess it was the same thing....*LOL*
I'd take doing lots of dishes by hand over a mountain of laundry via the same method any day of the week.
