launderess
Well-known member
Brought to you by Whirlpool.
They just don't make commercials like this anymore:
They just don't make commercials like this anymore:
Welcome To The Wonderful World Of Wash and Wear
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vacerator
Well-known member
They sure don't
Laundress! They completely explain the reason for the cool down for synthetics and perma press blended fabrics. What better sales tool?
Laundress! They completely explain the reason for the cool down for synthetics and perma press blended fabrics. What better sales tool?
twintubdexter
Well-known member
Things were very different in 1958...
If the water company here in the Desert knew you were using one of those cool-down, H2O-guzzling machines they'd come out and burn your house down...similar to that movie "Fahrenheit 451" only it wouldn't be a pile of books that went up in smoke. Those Whirlpools were very attractive well-built machines though.
If the water company here in the Desert knew you were using one of those cool-down, H2O-guzzling machines they'd come out and burn your house down...similar to that movie "Fahrenheit 451" only it wouldn't be a pile of books that went up in smoke. Those Whirlpools were very attractive well-built machines though.
lordkenmore
Well-known member
Thanks for sharing this video!
One thing that interests me... We get the impression of new, wonder fabrics so much better than what we used since leaving that cold, drafty cave in prehistoric times. And yet, it's interesting how those old fabrics seem to hang on... I, for one, prefer 100% cotton to blends simply because it seems more comfortable to wear.
I also sort of view that washer as being a bit primitive compared to what was to follow. All those settings, even with that handy guide. So much easier to merely twist the timer to right cycle, and let the timer get the speeds right, the rinse temperature right, etc.
Other thing I noted: the agitation speed was stated to be slow. It seems to me that by the end of 60s, Kenmores used a normal agitation speed. Of course, that was on what was then probably called "Permanent Press". If so, at what point did they change their minds about agitation speed?
One thing that interests me... We get the impression of new, wonder fabrics so much better than what we used since leaving that cold, drafty cave in prehistoric times. And yet, it's interesting how those old fabrics seem to hang on... I, for one, prefer 100% cotton to blends simply because it seems more comfortable to wear.
I also sort of view that washer as being a bit primitive compared to what was to follow. All those settings, even with that handy guide. So much easier to merely twist the timer to right cycle, and let the timer get the speeds right, the rinse temperature right, etc.
Other thing I noted: the agitation speed was stated to be slow. It seems to me that by the end of 60s, Kenmores used a normal agitation speed. Of course, that was on what was then probably called "Permanent Press". If so, at what point did they change their minds about agitation speed?
lordkenmore
Well-known member
>If the water company here in the Desert knew you were using one of those cool-down, H2O-guzzling machines they'd come out and burn your house down...similar to that movie "Fahrenheit 451" only it wouldn't be a pile of books that went up in smoke.
Ha!
Actually, my vision is that they'd have the equipment to take that water guzzlin' ol' washer and melt it down into convenient blocks of steel to ship to Kia plant in Korea. A Maytag lid alone would be enough for a complete Kia. LOL
Ha!
Actually, my vision is that they'd have the equipment to take that water guzzlin' ol' washer and melt it down into convenient blocks of steel to ship to Kia plant in Korea. A Maytag lid alone would be enough for a complete Kia. LOL
It looked like the Mark 12 in the video had separate water and rinse temp setting availability as well as wash & spin speed temps. That was the one thing I hated about WP & KM washers, except for the rare renditions that had wash & spin speed settings independent of the timer/cycles. I thought it was far classier to have independent speed selections of the timer/cycle. There were times I want4ed different than what was "norm".
launderess
Well-known member
Man Made Fabrics
Since nylon replaced silk for hosiery there was a steady interest and or demand if you will for "modern miracle" fabrics. Their selling points were outlined in the piece; easy care...
Remember women or whomever had over one thousand years of having to launder and iron or press various natural fibers, with various levels of success. Wool and silk pretty much could not be cleaned at all until dry cleaning came along. Maybe some weaves and garments depending upon color or other factors; but a wool suit? No, not going to happen.
Fully automatics had nailed most natural fibers, but now the new man-made were creeping into people's homes.
In Europe post WWII people took to nylon bed sheets though I cannot imagine why... It was the "easy care" I suppose.
Since nylon replaced silk for hosiery there was a steady interest and or demand if you will for "modern miracle" fabrics. Their selling points were outlined in the piece; easy care...
Remember women or whomever had over one thousand years of having to launder and iron or press various natural fibers, with various levels of success. Wool and silk pretty much could not be cleaned at all until dry cleaning came along. Maybe some weaves and garments depending upon color or other factors; but a wool suit? No, not going to happen.
Fully automatics had nailed most natural fibers, but now the new man-made were creeping into people's homes.
In Europe post WWII people took to nylon bed sheets though I cannot imagine why... It was the "easy care" I suppose.
lordkenmore
Well-known member
one thing I hated about WP & KM washers
I have mixed feelings. I, personally, tend to be a control freak in the laundry room, and rather like having controls apart from the timer that allow me to control what happens.
That said... There is some appeal to the WP/KM approach as for simplicity. There are times when that seems appealing to even me. Past me, it seems like a good match for the average user.
I suppose, like most things in life, there are pros and cons to both approaches...
I sort of like the Lady Kenmore of the 60s approach where things were nicely programmed BUT there were option buttons that allowed the programming to get an override of some sort.
I have mixed feelings. I, personally, tend to be a control freak in the laundry room, and rather like having controls apart from the timer that allow me to control what happens.
That said... There is some appeal to the WP/KM approach as for simplicity. There are times when that seems appealing to even me. Past me, it seems like a good match for the average user.
I suppose, like most things in life, there are pros and cons to both approaches...
I sort of like the Lady Kenmore of the 60s approach where things were nicely programmed BUT there were option buttons that allowed the programming to get an override of some sort.
lordkenmore
Well-known member
>In Europe post WWII people took to nylon bed sheets though I cannot imagine why... It was the "easy care" I suppose.
Past easy care--and yes, I see how that is a huge selling point!--there might also have been the "new" factor. New things in general seem so exciting, and worth having, particularly when they solve a long running problem. Then...as time goes by, one often learns that the New Thing may solve problems...but it has problems of its own, sometimes problems that the older approach didn't have.
Past easy care--and yes, I see how that is a huge selling point!--there might also have been the "new" factor. New things in general seem so exciting, and worth having, particularly when they solve a long running problem. Then...as time goes by, one often learns that the New Thing may solve problems...but it has problems of its own, sometimes problems that the older approach didn't have.
1958 and in color!
What a beautiful pair of machines. I guess now I know where GE stole the idea for the 1961/62 "Rotary Fabric Dial" feature.
It's sobering and funny to realize that I was crawling around on the floor when this "film" was released. I can't imagine anybody putting a man's suit in a washing machine but I guess stranger things have happened. Thank you for posting this. Was this a training film for appliance store people or was it shown publicly?
What a beautiful pair of machines. I guess now I know where GE stole the idea for the 1961/62 "Rotary Fabric Dial" feature.
It's sobering and funny to realize that I was crawling around on the floor when this "film" was released. I can't imagine anybody putting a man's suit in a washing machine but I guess stranger things have happened. Thank you for posting this. Was this a training film for appliance store people or was it shown publicly?
launderess
Well-known member
Piece was produced for Whirlpool by "Handy Jam Producti
They made tons of training and promotional films in the 1950's for everyone from Chevy to Whirlpool.
This particular film is too long for a commercial, and is not directly aimed at Whirlpool employees or sales persons so am guessing it was a promotional type thing. Then again it could have been used for both; I mean giving sales persons knowledge on how to sell these new Whirlpool automatics....
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jam_Handy
https://archive.org/search.php?query=creator:"Handy+(Jam)+Organization"
You can watch and download this film and others here:
They made tons of training and promotional films in the 1950's for everyone from Chevy to Whirlpool.
This particular film is too long for a commercial, and is not directly aimed at Whirlpool employees or sales persons so am guessing it was a promotional type thing. Then again it could have been used for both; I mean giving sales persons knowledge on how to sell these new Whirlpool automatics....
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jam_Handy
https://archive.org/search.php?query=creator:"Handy+(Jam)+Organization"
You can watch and download this film and others here:
launderess
Well-known member
On another note:
Looked up the actor in the piece, Jeffrey Lynn and it does seem despite his good looks and early career success (A Letter To Three Wives, BUtterfield 8) never really made it huge. By the 1950's acting was secondary to his career in real estate.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Lynn
Looked up the actor in the piece, Jeffrey Lynn and it does seem despite his good looks and early career success (A Letter To Three Wives, BUtterfield 8) never really made it huge. By the 1950's acting was secondary to his career in real estate.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Lynn
Well then, why didn't this dream of modern fabrics come
If it had, all the dry cleaners would be out of business! I could not imagine placing a $600 suit into a washer and dryer, and with a less expensive suit, how would it hold up with repeated washing? Leisure suits could be washed, but they were constructed without the padding a "real" man's suit has. So Laundress, what happened to the wash and wear dream?
If it had, all the dry cleaners would be out of business! I could not imagine placing a $600 suit into a washer and dryer, and with a less expensive suit, how would it hold up with repeated washing? Leisure suits could be washed, but they were constructed without the padding a "real" man's suit has. So Laundress, what happened to the wash and wear dream?
launderess
Well-known member
That was it wasn't it?
Those man made fiber (polyester, Dacron, etc...) suits often were el cheapo.... Most persons purchasing "easy care" or "wash and wear" apparel wanted just that.
Most offerings then tended to look cheesy (remember all those polyester leisure suits?), and not something everyone would want to wear.
Besides all man made fiber garments are often hot, scratchy, cannot be properly cleaned in water (they are hydrophobic) and thus after a while look rather suspect. Again cheap...
For men's suits and finely tailored women's garments there is no such thing as "easy care". The linings and interfacings won't have it and need to be "finished" (ironed or pressed) for the garment to look its best.
Fast forward to today you see plenty of polyester, Lycra and other man made fibers blended with natural.
Those man made fiber (polyester, Dacron, etc...) suits often were el cheapo.... Most persons purchasing "easy care" or "wash and wear" apparel wanted just that.
Most offerings then tended to look cheesy (remember all those polyester leisure suits?), and not something everyone would want to wear.
Besides all man made fiber garments are often hot, scratchy, cannot be properly cleaned in water (they are hydrophobic) and thus after a while look rather suspect. Again cheap...
For men's suits and finely tailored women's garments there is no such thing as "easy care". The linings and interfacings won't have it and need to be "finished" (ironed or pressed) for the garment to look its best.
Fast forward to today you see plenty of polyester, Lycra and other man made fibers blended with natural.
"...polyester leisure suits"
Three words that should have never, ever been allowed to reside next to each other, LOL.
Three words that should have never, ever been allowed to reside next to each other, LOL.
launderess
Well-known member
Who loves ya baby?
As Launderess mentioned above, this isn't a TV commercial, but an industrial film. We used to see sponsored films such as these at school all the time, and my mom's club borrowed them frequently for their meetings.
The major distributor of these free-loan films was Modern Talking Picture Service. I worked in the AV room my junior & senior years of H.S., and we got in at least 8 or 10 a week. Some of the companies I remember that sponsered these films were Eli Lilly, US Steel, GM, Ford, Nabisco, Texaco, Standard Oil, and many others.
I remember one in particular came from Kimberly-Clark Corp. Lets just say it wasn't intended to be shown in our math class, but that's where I saw it. Shouldn't be hard to figure out what the subject was!
The major distributor of these free-loan films was Modern Talking Picture Service. I worked in the AV room my junior & senior years of H.S., and we got in at least 8 or 10 a week. Some of the companies I remember that sponsered these films were Eli Lilly, US Steel, GM, Ford, Nabisco, Texaco, Standard Oil, and many others.
I remember one in particular came from Kimberly-Clark Corp. Lets just say it wasn't intended to be shown in our math class, but that's where I saw it. Shouldn't be hard to figure out what the subject was!
launderess
Well-known member
AV room
Now that takes one back.....
*LOL*
Now that takes one back.....
*LOL*
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