What got you fascinated with laundry machinery in the first place?

[spankomatic]

Evolution of laundry machine facination

When I was two I can remember sitting on top of the washing machine watching the agitator and the water flowing out of the filter on our Whirlpool-RCA washer. I also remember liking the knobs on the machine. In 1966 we got our GE filter flow with matching dryer. I was in heaven. I liked the lighted consol,the switches and buttons, the filter pan, of course the filter flo, the lid design. In 1975 the filter flo started getting green transmission fluid all over the clothes. The new Maytag arrived in May. I loved the sound of the Maytag. Such a nice quiet hum to it. I liked to watch the clothes wash in it and compare it to the GE filter flo. I liked the lint filters on both machines. The GE seemed to look more modern, contemporary. The Maytag looked more solid, better quality to me.  How the machines mechanically worked was just a general interest, not a facination.

 

[retromania]

I know....

When our Frigidaire washer couldn't be repaired anymore we bought a GE Filter-Flo. I don't think I seen a washer since that had a filtration system quite that easy and good. I also liked the way we woul sprinkle our wash powder in the tray. That GE was a workhorse!

 

[blackstone]

My parents had a TV & appliance store, and we lived behind the store. It was just an extension of our house. So, for as long as I can remember, I have been involved with washing machines, even going on service calls at the age of 4 with my father. It was not unusual to go into the store, and to see a Blackstone transmission on the workbench. I'm still amazed at the engineering that went into developing them.

Even though there were times when you would rather not be laying on someone's damp, dirty cellar floor, you would still have the satisfaction of keeping a washer going. When you have to go to a customer's house, you realize that there are all kinds of people in the world, and you are able to interact with all of them.

 

[fredriksam]

I,m also Asperger and i think that the sounds from the machines calmed me down when i was young.

My family used to have an Hoover Keymatic 3224 and a washer i dont know the name of. The unnamed machine had a drop down door and looked similar to Bauknecht Wa 451. The machine was quite noisy and jumped around on the floor when unbalanced.

The Hoover Keymatic however was very silent and stabile. I loved the clicks and clunks from that machine.

Our neighbours had an early candy machine that was cool to watch and listen to.
When visiting friends i was often allowed to watch their machines. At that time many had Electrolux or Asko machines.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

sounds and more

What got me interested in washers and dryers was the sounds of the machines. I remember when I was at the laundry, I'd watch the machines in action and stick my head in an open front loader. My fascination really kicked into overdrive with my filter-flo set. Whenever my parents did laundry, I'd sit there and listen to the water splashing and smell of the soap. I'd still sit by my GE post-filter-flo pair when we got it when the filter-flo died. All the while, I got interested in the parts and how they worked. I still sit by my lg pair, one of which is the Kenmore version. Both of which are matching. My mom still has hers. And yes, they have windows.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

laundry and dishwashing

I'm still interested in doing laundry and washing dishes in the dishwasher. I love the sounds of the different pumps, wash actions, types of blowers in dryers and more. I'd love to see what the direct drive whirlpool looks like on the insides where the good stuff is.

 

[dishmobile]

Appliance "Sickness"

My father managed a store that sold furniture and appliances (Frigidaire and Maytag) and so it seemed to just..."be".

One of my earliest memories, while I was still riding a tricycle, was the Saturday afternoon delivery of our new Maytag Highlander, this would replace the current Norge Timeline and would begin my fascination in appliances.

Not long after, the folks built a new house...complete with a Magic Chef kitchen (dishwasher, double oven, four-burner range top, and vent-a-hood)...ALL in coppertone (this was, afterall, THE 60's)! I remember the dishwasher, most of all, because it had a pilot light and was, as my father said, "Loud as a thrashing machine." It was a spin tube design and, as I recall, the accompanying literature instructed the owner to give the tube a manual spin, prior to operation. My mother was never very fond of this machine so, when it ceased to function, my father installed a new Frigidaire (also in coppertone).

I spent some of my youth as the "help" (delivering/setting up appliances) at the store and enjoyed the "characters" that worked with my father, but most of all...ALL of those new appliances! Part of my memories include...the smell of the new appliance AND those cardboard shipping boxes; the new boxes of Tide in all Maytag machines; the Frigidaire refrigerator/freezer model that had a pedal to open the door; the Frigidaire "Movie Theatre" (a film playback device in which one could view films detailing the appliance line); the Maytag "mini" washing machine; the plastic food strategically placed in the appliances (this was 60's "staging"), funny...those pork chops never seemed to get done; and, among others, the introduction of Maytag's first dishwasher. This portable top loading machine was equipped with a store display plastic top, so that one could view the washing action. LOVED it! Plug it in and, woooooosh, the thing flies into action---water swirling and thrashing about!

Attached are images of two remaining, and very aged, store window decals advertising the Frigidaire appliance line. Additionally, images of machines similar to our Highlander and Maytag's first dishwasher. Gone are the 60's coppertone and 70's poppy, as well the movie theatre (I snooped about on my last visit, but to no avail), but present are a wealth of memories. Thanks for allowing me to share a bit of it with you.