A few weeks ago I was listening to my local ABC radio when the topic of suds savers on washing machines came up. The host Steve Martin had read a letter to the local newspaper where a woman lamented how suds savers were no longer available on new washing machines and, considering southern Australia is now in its second year of severe drought, that suds savers should make a return. The host, Steve, didn't know what a "suds saver" was, and invited listeners to phone in to explain how they work. He didn't expect a big response, but several callers told him how they work, including some people who confused twin tub washers with "suds saver" feature on automatic washing machines. interestingly, two callers said they had suds save washers they still used every day, and both were Malleys Whirlpool machines, one over 30 years old and one over 40 years old. A testament to their robust design. (Malleys Whirlpool is the Australian brand name for belt drive Whirlpool washers - they were assembled here by Malleys using some local and some imported components.)
I phoned in to mention my Frigidaire washer which has internal suds save - it can hold saved suds in the outer tub, they don't have to be stored in a separate washtub. When I spoke to the show's producer, before I went on air, I said, "I have a confession, I actually collect vintage washing machines and I have one which saves suds in an unusual way your listeners might like to know about."
She said, "we are winding up that segment for today, but collecting washing machines sounds like a story in itself, can we talk to you about that on air?"
I am a regular caller to their daily trivia quiz, and the producer, Liz, thought it would be of extra interest that someone who was a regular caller on The Morning Challenge would have this extra interest that no other contestants had known about. I was reluctant as I felt a bit shy about it, but she talked me into it, saying it would be fun and they would not get embarassing. So I agreed to be interviewed the next morning. I also mentioned that there was now a worldwide fraternity of washing machine enthusiasts who keep in touch via this great website.
Overnight, the host Steve did a google search on vintage washing machines and found Automaticwasher.org, so he had some background knowledge.
The interview is now on their website, and here is a link to it.
As I am on dial-up, I haven't listened to it myself, it looks like there is another interview in the same download.
Click on the link below, then select number 4 in the list towards the right of the page, in the list of 4 audio downloads. (Richard Townsend and Chris Harkin.)
Enjoy!
Chris.
I phoned in to mention my Frigidaire washer which has internal suds save - it can hold saved suds in the outer tub, they don't have to be stored in a separate washtub. When I spoke to the show's producer, before I went on air, I said, "I have a confession, I actually collect vintage washing machines and I have one which saves suds in an unusual way your listeners might like to know about."
She said, "we are winding up that segment for today, but collecting washing machines sounds like a story in itself, can we talk to you about that on air?"
I am a regular caller to their daily trivia quiz, and the producer, Liz, thought it would be of extra interest that someone who was a regular caller on The Morning Challenge would have this extra interest that no other contestants had known about. I was reluctant as I felt a bit shy about it, but she talked me into it, saying it would be fun and they would not get embarassing. So I agreed to be interviewed the next morning. I also mentioned that there was now a worldwide fraternity of washing machine enthusiasts who keep in touch via this great website.
Overnight, the host Steve did a google search on vintage washing machines and found Automaticwasher.org, so he had some background knowledge.
The interview is now on their website, and here is a link to it.
As I am on dial-up, I haven't listened to it myself, it looks like there is another interview in the same download.
Click on the link below, then select number 4 in the list towards the right of the page, in the list of 4 audio downloads. (Richard Townsend and Chris Harkin.)
Enjoy!
Chris.
