Has anyone besides me ever seen a Violet-Ray Washer-equipped Laundromat? I specifically remember the machines were "Franklin-Style" ones, with oval glass windows and a ultra-violet lamp built-onto the lid, to shine-down upon agitating laundry. These machines used a closed-system recycling-type waste water system. My friend from camp's father owned it in Hollis, NY. In it, they also had a HIGHLY- unusual machine for a laundromat, called a "WED"! it was a 25 Lb washer-extractor-dryer, and it was amazing! In one of my old coin-op magazines, there is a story of the Violet-Ray laundry up in Buffalo, if I remember correctly.
Violet-Ray Commercial Washers & WED Machine
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ptcruiser51
Well-known member
Mid-1960s
There was one near my aunt & uncle in Newark, NJ. I remember helping her carry laundry there a couple times when her Maytag wringer was on the blink, but don't remember anything specific about the machines other than being front-loaders. The sign outside did say "Violet Ray", I'm sure of that.
There was one near my aunt & uncle in Newark, NJ. I remember helping her carry laundry there a couple times when her Maytag wringer was on the blink, but don't remember anything specific about the machines other than being front-loaders. The sign outside did say "Violet Ray", I'm sure of that.
Hiya, Charlie!
I don't ever remember Violet Ray machines being made in front-loaders. It is quite likely that the laundry gutted the old top-loaders and put-in new, then-modern front-loaders. It could very well be that they never bothered to change the signage! BTW, I really like your Fusion-bet you do also! I have a fantastic 2008 V6 Milan!
Jason
I don't ever remember Violet Ray machines being made in front-loaders. It is quite likely that the laundry gutted the old top-loaders and put-in new, then-modern front-loaders. It could very well be that they never bothered to change the signage! BTW, I really like your Fusion-bet you do also! I have a fantastic 2008 V6 Milan!
Jason
ptcruiser51
Well-known member
Front-Loaders
Were all I could remember, but they may have had TL's too. My aunt always had a LOT of wash so probably used the FL's instead. Of course, Newark was in rapid decline at the time with many businesses changing hands or closing. It could have been just as you said, "leftover" signage. Within five years of this time, that entire neighborhood had been leveled by fires, tear-downs or "insurance lightning" and the laundrymat went with it.
And yes, I love my Fusion. Embarrassed to admit I got it (2012 model) at the beginning of August and don't even have 3000 miles on it!
Were all I could remember, but they may have had TL's too. My aunt always had a LOT of wash so probably used the FL's instead. Of course, Newark was in rapid decline at the time with many businesses changing hands or closing. It could have been just as you said, "leftover" signage. Within five years of this time, that entire neighborhood had been leveled by fires, tear-downs or "insurance lightning" and the laundrymat went with it.
And yes, I love my Fusion. Embarrassed to admit I got it (2012 model) at the beginning of August and don't even have 3000 miles on it!
Never been to one but this is down in MD.
firedome
Well-known member
Anyone remember the Ultra-Violet toilet seats in the Hot Shoppes on the NY Thruway, circa 1960?? Better living through Nuclear Physics... those were the days!! ;-)
I remember Violent Ray laundries as we traveled through the SE US in the 50s and early 60s. We never stopped near one so I did not get to explore them, but all of the purple light was arresting. At the same time in the Atlanta airport men's rooms, there were free stalls and pay stalls. I had to see what was in the pay stalls because of the purple light coming out of them. The toilet seat was in a upright position against a shroud with a germicidal lamp tube shining the purple light on the seat. I'll bet it kept the seat warm also.
Please elaborate on the closed system water recycling. Don't tell me they did not use fresh water for each load. That is sick. I am itching just thinking about it. It's one thing in a car wash, but in laundry? FEH.
Please elaborate on the closed system water recycling. Don't tell me they did not use fresh water for each load. That is sick. I am itching just thinking about it. It's one thing in a car wash, but in laundry? FEH.
The Closed-Water System
Tom, I will have to look at the article in my magazine to tell you about this supposed recycling. I actually don't think my former friend's dad's laundry had that system. Maybe that Buffalo location used the closed system out of desire to experiment. We shall see...
Larry, AMAZING photo, but it looks rather "recently-taken"(within the last 30 years)
I don't see the brand-unique oval glass windows on those top-loaders, or the violet- light bulb box that was attached to the lids.
Roger, I DO remember the violet toilet seats at the Hot Shoppes at Sloatsburg! They were at other places, too. Today, too many people are ultra-obsessed with that Purel hand-sanitizing stuff, and too bad many of those people happen to look like s...!
Jason
Tom, I will have to look at the article in my magazine to tell you about this supposed recycling. I actually don't think my former friend's dad's laundry had that system. Maybe that Buffalo location used the closed system out of desire to experiment. We shall see...
Larry, AMAZING photo, but it looks rather "recently-taken"(within the last 30 years)
I don't see the brand-unique oval glass windows on those top-loaders, or the violet- light bulb box that was attached to the lids.
Roger, I DO remember the violet toilet seats at the Hot Shoppes at Sloatsburg! They were at other places, too. Today, too many people are ultra-obsessed with that Purel hand-sanitizing stuff, and too bad many of those people happen to look like s...!
Jason
