POD 08/03/2010 1956 FRIGIDAIRE PULSAMATIC

[appnut]

WOW!! First time I've seen this model. I've seen a 1955 & a 1957 model. When I opened the ad, I though I was seeing another Philco or BEndix top loader ad--that's also a POD sometimes. My shock when I saw it was Frigidaire. This was the first time Frigidaire had ever oiffered two separate wash cycles (one for smaller loads and delicates) like severral other vendors (Kelvinator, Hotpoint & Norge come to mind). Woner what the matching dryer was like. Robert, do yo know if there were just two models in the line offered like in 1955 also? I know in 1957 there were several models (like 3 or 4)

 

[golittlesport]

Cool ad

Hey Bob, I was surprised to see this ad also. Second pulsamatic model produced and I have never seen one in person. It looks like the control dial actually has only one cycle with a lever on the side that speeds up the timing increments, to make that single cycle shorter including the timed fill producing a lower water level.

Funny how they rant on about the 630 rpm spin speed...not much faster, if at all, than a Maytag, Norge or GE of that vintage. But compared to a Kenmore, Whirlpool, Westinghouse or Bendix I guess you'd notice the difference.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Bob in 1955 there were 2 Pulsamatic models offered and I believe in '56 there were 3 Pulsamatic models. For sure in '57 and '58 there were 3 Pulsamatic models available.

In 1955, the WV-35 was the standard model with yellow dials, the WV-45 was the more deluxe Pulsamatic that had blue dials and a all porcelain cabinet.

 

[norgeway]

55

We had a 55 pulsamatic until 1969, my mom always said it washed better than the 69 Custom Deluxe that replaced it...that lasted 17 years!

 

[mickeyd]

evoltion of a switch

On the 57 Tower, there is a similar slide switch for Normal Load, Small load, which slides along the wash temp switch. And in the ad if you look close, the panel is marked Normal Load Small Load.

The text also entices you to "select the load size," but they call it a two cycle machine, when the Small Load setting simply cuts the one-cycle time in half. Was also amused by the "so dry and light" claim by the 630 rpm spin when their Unimatic spins almost twice as fast. What would this ad man call that? "brittle and invisible" ;-D

This has got to be a TOL Pulsamatic which didn't usually offer a water level... NL/Sm Load. Like our two Roberts, I was amazed to see this delightful machine.

The Pictues of the Day have been riveting lately, and this one, over the top. Wonder if anyone has seen such a gem in the flesh...I mean...metal of course.

Can't see what the dial says after the 2 minute mark. Is it the usual Wash Time or something else cool?

 

[rollermatic]

love that ad!

brings out the frigidaire lover in me! would love to find one of those someday!

 

[swestoyz]

The POD is a strange bird - always wanted to see this one. I'm going to hedge a bet that it is a WDS-56, being that it is a mid year model (document date of 3-56), but also has the two speed escapement timer, similar to that in the WD-56. The brochure below would for the WD-56 Deluxe Pulsamatic, with styling features very similar to that of the WI-56 Umimatic.

 

[swestoyz]

Page 2

 

[mickeyd]

Another Lilac Frigidaire, Ben, Stunning!

WOW!!!

 

[smokey2367]

My family had a WD-56 Delux model. I remember it had a tan rubber pulsator with the black cap with a phillips head screw that I was always dying to take a screw driver to. (never had the nerve) It was purchased in 1956 and lasted until 1970. I remember that the wash tub would keep coming unbalanced when it tried to spin. No matter how you arranged the clothes it would bang against the cabinet. It was replaced with a Maytag A206. Definitely a come down as far as drama was concerned. It was really cool to see this advertisement!

Doug

 

[appnut]

THANKS BEN!!!!!!!

 

[akronman]

what does POD mean?

I pretty quickly figured out TOL and BOL, but I can't guess at POD. Help please???
Thanks
Mark

 

[mickeyd]

Picture of the Day

;->

 

[alr2903]

Does the short cycle run the timer at 2x speed? Did it still provide a overflow rinse on the short cycle? alr2903

 

[mickeyd]

HI Art

The Frigidaires I have do not have a small load selector, but our 57 Tower had one, and here's what happened if you selected Small Load: The timer advanced every 20 seconds instead of every 40. The tub would exactly half fill for wash & rinse. With shortened time, the water level would just about make it up to the the drain slits in the rim, when the spin would engage. Thus, no overflow. This is a very old memory, so there may be some fractures.

 

[alr2903]

Thanks Mickeyd. How are you. I appreciate your reply. While anyone would be happy to have a frigidarie, i think the SQ's still gave you a good overflow rinse, no matter what water level you selected. I am a confirmed rinsaholic. Mickey take care. arthur.

 

[mickeyd]

Right back at ya, Art

My Aunt Molly had an SQ, and it rinsed like crazy. Actually, maybe Frigidaire got envious, because in 1962, the overflow went to 4 minutes, which is the same amount of time it takes to fill vintage Frigidaires, effectively replacing the original rinse water, overflowing it all in every rinse. As a confirmed rinsaholic ;-> you would appreciate the 62 Multimatic. The rinse throw is so fresh and clean, it's almost a sin to let it go. That's why I'm so happy with the valve John Le Fevre sent, so I can save the rinse water effortlessly.