POD: Just Push The Button

[rinso]

So, do you really think there is a computer (as we know them) inside these machines? I guess if one wants to get technical, even a mechanical function timer is a computer of sorts. What beautiful machines!

 

[whirlcool]

Computers / Transistors / Vacuum Tubes

About the time this Wash & Dryer set came to market, most true "computers" were either Vacuum tube or a early hybrid of vacuum tube and early transistor technology. In order to accomodate a true "computer" as they were back then would require the washers control panel to be half the size of a large laundry room. Besides computers of that time required precise environmental control, hardly a laundry room environment.
My guess is that this was true "marketing hype" and that if you looked behind the control panel, you would find a few solenoids and metal contacts.
But gotta love that lighted control panel!

 

[westytoploader]

I wonder if it's similar to the Maytag pushbutton machines, where pushing a button activates a certain contact on the timer if I remember correctly? Although this has an on/off switch so it could work differently.

Not very flexible, but very cool nonetheless! Love the "streamlined" look with hidden controls!

BTW, these machines were actually produced...not just prototypes. Someone's grandmother had one (read it in their profile). Still extremely rare, however.

 

[rinso]

I wonder if Lucy and Desi had a set like this.