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Automatic Washer - The world's coolest Washing Machines, Dryers and Dishwashers

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Would this be the first year of whirlpool's automatic...

You're correct on the later part. Technically, this is the first matched pair with the introduction of the Whirlpool dryer. Washer model number 91560 (suds) and dryer model would be 91820 (electric) or 91830 (gas). This was the first non bolt down Whirlpool automatic, introduced in late 1949 and made through 1950. Whirlpool referred to this as the suspended or "balanced" model.

I've recently found documentation that supports Whirlpool having manufactured the Whirlpool twin to the 1947-1948 Sears Kenmore bolt down washers, model number 71560/81560 (suds) or 71550/81550 (non suds). Today, finding a bolt down 1947/1948 Whirlpool would be as rare as finding an Apex bouncing basket washer.

Ben

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Reply #1

How cool Ben ! I've never seen any pictures of the first whirlpool machines. A couple of years ago I was passing an old appliance store and they had outside what looked like the first Kenmore automatic. It looked just like a Wringer. It must have been a bolt down. I have a video of it on my channel.

 
Picture of the day whirlpool automatic washer

Yes, this was the first balanced, suspended whirlpool automatic washer that also had a matching dryer, Kenny and Indiana sold me this dryer about 20 years ago. It ended up going to Ted for his collection down in Virginia.

There was another guy out in the Midwest, who had a pair of these whirlpools Five or 10 years ago. I don’t know what happened to him. Hope the machines are still around. I hope he’s still around as well.

Whirlpool‘s first automatic 47 and 48 was a bolt down but it was in a rectangular 29 inch wide cabinet. It did not look like the Kenmore bolt down machine, the Kenmore bolt down machine would probably have been a little less expensive to build less steel involved without the outer cabinet, I’ve never seen that original whirlpool bolt down in the flesh, but I have the parts list and service manuals for it, it would be rare. I’m sure they didn’t sell near as many of them as Sears did.

John L
 
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