The Very First General Electric Automatic Washer - Full Cycle Video

[Unimatic1140]

So I've had several requests to do a full cycle video of my 1947 GE Automatic Washer. I finally have found the time to do this and the video is ready to go. I show a full cycle starting with loading the clothes into the machine and then at the very end I show how you can re-use the rinse water for the next wash load that is stored in the outer tub. I've add captions and explanations during the entire cycle to say what exactly the machine is doing at that moment because it isn't always obvious what is going on in the outer tub...



This early GE design is by far one the best performing vintage automatic washers ever produced and it was designed in the late 1930s! It would have come out earlier if WW2 had not stopped appliance production. If I could only have a couple of washers a '58 Frigidaire Unimatic and this '47 GE AW6 would be my choices.

The biggest features of this early GE are:

- The very first and very effective self-cleaning lint filter system,

- Detergent dispenser that dispenses during the wash cycle even if you select a pre-soak,

- 1140rpm spin leaving clothes very dry,

- Automatically saves rinse water in outer tub to be pumped back up and used in next wash load if you wish or you can empty the outer tub before starting the next load for a fresh fill of wash water.

- Direct drive transmission and motor combined and sealed in oil bath

Here is what CU had to say about this GE washer when they received their first sample to test it...

 

[gyrafoam]

Thanks, I remember this one. It really was an impressive machine. Like so many other designs over the years, they do away with the really good ones for all kinds of reasons. I'm sure Liability forced the manufacturers into tub-brakes. Same for high-speed water extraction. And the worst of the worst, Government interference.

 

[appnut]

Robert, thank you so much for making this spectacular video. My paternal grandmother had this washer. I never got to see it up close as I never had an occasion to go in my grandmother's garage. But I do remember what it looked like from a distance. She moved out of her house when I was 10 because a future freeway was going to be goig through her property. I'll tell you how I found out she had this specific model and not one of the subsequent ones that looked like this washer, but had the slower spin speed. My dad knew just how much I loved Frigiaires (which up to that time Unimatics were the only ones I was exposed to). He just casually mentioned that the washer that was at my grandmother's house spun just as fast as a Frigieaire but it didn't tangle near as bad as Frigidires. I couldn't believe that any other washer DARED to spin as fast as a Unimatic. Why I was so thrilled when you found this machine.

 

[combo52]

First GE automatic washer

Thanks Robert for posting this great video of this most unique and advanced washing machine.

This was truly the most advanced automatic washer. The world had yet seen.

When Jeff and I picked up this machine, we were pretty amazed by it and we used it for a number of years before we traded it to you.

it was a very expensive machine to make. It had two water pumps in it and two timers in it. It also had a more complex inlet valve to allow for detergent dispensing.

So it’s not surprising that the cost cutters got involved and removed several of its good features.

This washer did have a tub break so I came to stop pretty quickly like the Frigidaires but like many early automatics, there is no lid switch, so there certainly is a chance of danger.

We were told that the wash water temperature was tempered to a maximum of 130° because of the cork floats and the fact that the transmission was immersed in the water and since the motor was in the transmission I don’t think they wanted to get it too hot.

John

 

[gelaundry4ever]

washer video

I saw the video, and I like the wash action.

 

[launderess]

Great Machine and Video!

As always another great job!

Did you leave a "first" out in video description?

"This is the very automatic washer GE ever produced."

 

[launderess]

Amazing technology brought to you by post WWII USA GE.

Love idea of saving rinse water for use with next wash cycle. That must have been meant to appeal to housewives on fence about giving up their wringer washers if water use was an issue.

 

[DADoES]

 
That's a larger load than I've seen some folks put into a SQ or WP DD!

 

[whirlykenmore78]

Fantastic Robert:

Thanks for thew great video of a very cool machine.
WK78

 

[combo52]

GE’s first automatic washer

When Michael and I first bought the house in West Virginia this machine was the only thing we had in it for the first year up there. It was just used to wash towels and sheets, kitchen towels, etc.

It’s not a very big washer the load that Robert had in it is only 3 to 5 pounds.

Here’s a load I just washed an hour ago in my direct drive resource saver at 16 longsleeve shirts for short sleeve ones 22 pairs of men’s underwear and four pairs of socks. The machine wasn’t even full.

 

[peteski50]

GE

Robert thanks for the great video - to bad GE didnt keep the fast spin through the years.
Best Wishes
Peter

 

[norgeway]

I found

One of these for my friend Chris Moore, We picked it up in Asheville NC Talk about something heavy.

 

[bpetersxx]

really nice video thankkees so very much there

stored on my computer so i can watch it offline

are the old videos that you posted on the site in the old basement