POD 4/5/2017

[brucelucenta]

This agitator was a MAJOR change that eventually would effect most other brands too. As you can see, it was much like the Maytag agitator at the bottom with the auger at the top to pull the clothes under as they washed. It did a good job with larger and even loads really too large for most washers. Interesting that only Kenmore had this feature for so long. After the patent was over, most of the other machines adopted it too. Also interesting, was the television ad that Frigidaire had at this time. It showed a Frigidaire jet action washer and a Kenmore side by side as they threw in a sock on the top of the load and watched it get sucked down quickly with the Frigidaire while waiting for the Kenmore to finally take it down. Unfortunately it was too little too late for Frigidaire.

 

[gyrafoam]

Sadly, I think it also taught a whole generation to cram it full. Cleanliness wasn't as important as how much they could pack into one load, set it on the "trailer" setting Cold/Cold and then pour in some cheap liquid detergent. Get back to the sofa for the next soap opera.

GM wanted that plant for new POS cars. So Frigidaire was doomed, irregardless.

 

[appnut]

This ad always makes me think of JasonL.   Miss him and his wife. 

 

[turquoisedude]

I remember that Frigidaire ad well.  The Kenmore Dual-Action seemed to struggle and squeaked the way I remember it.   I also remember not seeing the last line of Frigidaire machines in a lot of stores up here in Quebec - I guess the dealer network was already falling to pieces by that time, alas.   I swear that it wasn't until the late 80s that Frigidaire-WCI appliances gained ground here.  

 

[speedqueen]

Anywhere to find that ad?

I am not old enough to have seen it. I do remember a few years ago, someone making a parody of the ad with Kenmore as the washer of choice. That is gone too now. I believe the parody had More, More, More as background music.

 

[hilovane]

I don't think this kind of agitator reached its full potential until direct-drive was incorporated into SK/WP machines.
Personally, I never cared for them. I felt it was more "gimmick" than "innovation."
Still, they made just about every body else stand up and take notice, and IMHO, this was the catalyst for the beginning of the end of Maytag as we knew it.

 

[gyrafoam]

The old folks used to say "the fish rots from the head first".
The Executives in charge killed Frigidaire, Maytag and Kenmore.
Pretty soon GE and Whirlpool------if not already.

 

[earthling177]

There's something about that ad that makes me think they faked the results, it's hard to describe -- to me, it looks like they drew the pictures on the paper floor instead of actually putting real bibs there. I think it may have something to do with the fact that the "white" from the drop cloth floor and the bibs match way too well.

Also, *really*, not even one little spot in the load for their machine? What did they do, use hot water and bleach in their load and cold and no detergent in the others?

For me, to look realistic, either the other loads should be cleaner or their load should have left one or two stains.

Then again, "welcome to the world of advertising..."

 

[vintage1963]

I really loved the Dual Action Agitator in the Kenmore we had. I was always careful not to overload the washer. I also enjoyed watching the movement of the clothes as they were being washed.