Today's POD features a Zenith washer. Is this the same Zenith that is famous for it's line of TV's, and the "Trans-Oceanic" radios? Being a Zenith Radio Corp fan myself, I'm suprised I didn't know anything about their white goods lineup. I've got a T.O. radio, a nifty portable, and two vintage Zenith TV's. They are displayed with a nifty clock/sign I got from the local TV shop.
Today's POD: Zenith washers
- Thread starter Cybrvanr
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jasonl
New member
It could be made overseas, I'm guessing Australia or UK. It's not the same logo as our Zenith. So it's hard to tell.
BTW, I have a 1959 Zenith TV. Works pretty well except for a little vertical distortion (needs caps). Fun to watch B/W shows on it.
BTW, I have a 1959 Zenith TV. Works pretty well except for a little vertical distortion (needs caps). Fun to watch B/W shows on it.
Here is the other side of the Zenith brochure. Interesting set - would love to find one!
westytoploader
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Wow, that is just too cool.
A fiberglass tub...could this be an Apex design like the early Monkey Wards machines?
A fiberglass tub...could this be an Apex design like the early Monkey Wards machines?
You're correct Austin. This washer was made by Apex, but by 1955 Apex started experimenting with an Agitator style washer. The next year would be their last year in business.
POD
I think but could be wrong that this machine can be made by another manufacturer. Could it realy be a norge speed queen or but who else had a fiberglass tub beside apex? Or was it realy made directly by the manufacturer?
Peter
I think but could be wrong that this machine can be made by another manufacturer. Could it realy be a norge speed queen or but who else had a fiberglass tub beside apex? Or was it realy made directly by the manufacturer?
Peter
Nope, its an Apex.
runematic
Well-known member
I have an old Zenith dryer in my warehouse somewhere, but it doesn't look like the dryer in the picture. I'll see if I can't get a pic of it.
pulsator-power
Well-known member
Zenith Washer
Too bad some other company didn't get the contract
when Apex went out of business, or did anyone?
Jerry
Too bad some other company didn't get the contract
when Apex went out of business, or did anyone?
Jerry
Designgeek
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I'm going to guess this is a US machine. The logo in the advert has the wording "Reg. US Pat. Off." under it, which refers to the trademark being registered with the United States Patent & Trademark Office.
Interesting design concepts. And, subtle competition about spin speeds, saying that 650 rpm doesn't cause creases compared to higher spin speeds.
Interesting design concepts. And, subtle competition about spin speeds, saying that 650 rpm doesn't cause creases compared to higher spin speeds.
Zenith also had machines made by Franklin, most likely after the Apex line.
I saw an electric range in Canada with the Zenith
label, it was nice enough, but nothing special.
I'm looking, but not very aggressively, for a tube type Trans-Oceanic.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
label, it was nice enough, but nothing special.
I'm looking, but not very aggressively, for a tube type Trans-Oceanic.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
westytoploader
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Apex Agitator Washer
Did Apex produce any Apex-branded agitator washers around that time, or did they use the "bouncing basket" right up to their demise?
Did Apex produce any Apex-branded agitator washers around that time, or did they use the "bouncing basket" right up to their demise?
This is a bit sketchy in my mind now but my dad was a production analyst first at Westinghouse in Hamilton Ont and then went to work for Fiberglas before I was born up until his retirement. Early on when I was small he did travel off and on to their various plants in Ohio, Texas etc. I recollect one trip he made, would have been early 60's and he was telling me that he'd been to Zenith and also had a tour of their tv factory. I think I'd already mentioned before somewhere that he and my uncle were big Ham radio, Hi-Fi nuts etc. always building something. But the point of the conversation was that he was absolutely aghast when he saw tv production line workers merrily soldering away circuit boards while eating potato chips and drinking coke etc. Salty fingers a big no no.
I don't think that there was anything Fiberglas related in the TV, stereo biz but they did manufactur the insulation panels for ranges so it is a possibility that he was down there getting the schematics/info for a stove or fridge design production. BTW when they made the insulating panels they used these large almost 5 x 5 ft flat wooden dies with the required shape of the panel sketched in steel cutting ribbon to stamp out the pieces. He used to bring some home, pull out the steel cutting ribbon and use the still good wood for other projects.
Still I can't for the life of me remember anyone having a Zenith washer or fridge
I don't think that there was anything Fiberglas related in the TV, stereo biz but they did manufactur the insulation panels for ranges so it is a possibility that he was down there getting the schematics/info for a stove or fridge design production. BTW when they made the insulating panels they used these large almost 5 x 5 ft flat wooden dies with the required shape of the panel sketched in steel cutting ribbon to stamp out the pieces. He used to bring some home, pull out the steel cutting ribbon and use the still good wood for other projects.
Still I can't for the life of me remember anyone having a Zenith washer or fridge
Sidenote
You can be sure that we never had a Zenith product in our house after that.
You can be sure that we never had a Zenith product in our house after that.
The brochure
difinetly lends itself to either US or Canadian consumers in the 50's. Doesn't look British at all and the spelling of color vs colour, fiber vs fibre is another clue. Either spelling is used in Canada. Also the US and Canada were the only two countries especially in the 50's that average folk could afford them en masse as well as had your average family house with luandry rooms or basements big enough for large top loaders and dryers plus laundry tubs for things like suds savers.
difinetly lends itself to either US or Canadian consumers in the 50's. Doesn't look British at all and the spelling of color vs colour, fiber vs fibre is another clue. Either spelling is used in Canada. Also the US and Canada were the only two countries especially in the 50's that average folk could afford them en masse as well as had your average family house with luandry rooms or basements big enough for large top loaders and dryers plus laundry tubs for things like suds savers.
Austin Apex did produce an agitator top loader after they discontinued their Bouncing Basket machine. For about a year or so.
scott55405
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I saw a tub to a Zenith wringer washer once in a woods or junkyard type area, and I think I've seen either a refrigerator or reference to one or other appliances. This brochure is really a nice addition to the collection.
I recall Robert or Greg (I think it was Robert) ran across a Zenith refrigerator at an estate sale. I have the pic saved, will scrounge for it.
