Whirlpool Design 2000...

[gelaundry4ever]

Hello everybody.

When will we see a film of the Whirlpool Design 2000? It would be interesting to see what came of it and how it was developed, plus the washability tests. I've also been looking for commercials on this washer. Thanks so much.

P.S. This was advanced technology at the time.

 

[Chetlaham]

I'd love to see a movie or documentary on the greatest washer success in history. Considering its intensive development, the tech friendly centric design and how it made up of 90% of washer sales at its peak it is definitely a topic worthy of mention.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

I'd love to see a movie or documentary on the greatest washer success in history. Considering its intensive development, the tech friendly centric design and how it made up of 90% of washer sales at its peak it is definitely a topic worthy of mention.

I bet it was advanced technology back in the day, considering Whirlpool used computer technology to make them.

 

[Chetlaham]

I bet it was advanced technology back in the day, considering Whirlpool used computer technology to make them.

More than advanced, they essentially started from scratch with the idea of making the washer as serviceable as possible while being a durable as durable as possible.

That GE washer commercial that claims that every other washer came from old ideas and that the model T is the byproduct of new thinking actually holds entirely true for the direct drive. The direct drive is a new and unique design that did away with the limitations all other washers had.

 

[phillymatt53]

I'd love to see a movie or documentary on the greatest washer success in history. Considering its intensive development, the tech friendly centric design and how it made up of 90% of washer sales at its peak it is definitely a topic worthy of mention.

Considering that my 39 year old Maytag was maybe used once a week, probably never serviced, and still churning out washloads..... that amounts to about 2028 loads.
I'd think that's a damn good reputation and "Worthy"

 

[gelaundry4ever]

More than advanced, they essentially started from scratch with the idea of making the washer as serviceable as possible while being a durable as durable as possible.

That GE washer commercial that claims that every other washer came from old ideas and that the model T is the byproduct of new thinking actually holds entirely true for the direct drive. The direct drive is a new and unique design that did away with the limitations all other washers had.

I remember when GE tried to agitate like Whirlpool did. Whirlpool could really whip out the dirt in your clothes.

 

[Chetlaham]

Considering that my 39 year old Maytag was maybe used once a week, probably never serviced, and still churning out washloads..... that amounts to about 2028 loads.
I'd think that's a damn good reputation and "Worthy"

IIRC your washer was featured in "Popular Mechanics" some time ago. In terms of dependability your washer does win out.

 

[phillymatt53]

I remember when GE tried to agitate like Whirlpool did. Whirlpool could really whip out the dirt in your clothes.

LOL, yeah, those DD's could certainly churn up the water fast!
My portable DD cracks me up too.

 

[Chetlaham]

I remember when GE tried to agitate like Whirlpool did. Whirlpool could really whip out the dirt in your clothes.

Out of any washer in existence, Whirlpool direct drives cleaned the best, especially on high speed.

 

[phillymatt53]

IIRC your washer was featured in "Popular Mechanics" some time ago. In terms of dependability your washer does win out.

It's such a shame that that design fell by the wayside for "improvments" which in my opinion are reverse improvments.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

Considering that my 39 year old Maytag was maybe used once a week, probably never serviced, and still churning out washloads..... that amounts to about 2028 loads.
I'd think that's a damn good reputation and "Worthy"

I agree, but Whirlpool did something nobody else ever did at the time.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

Out of any washer in existence, Whirlpool direct drives cleaned the best, especially on high speed.

High speed was my favorite speed, and still is. This washer built tough doesn't mess around nor does it let ground-in dirt hide.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

It's such a shame that that design fell by the wayside for "improvments" which in my opinion are reverse improvments.

I'd love to know what popular mechanics said about the direct drive platform. The best thing was the fact that was in production for so long.

 

[Chetlaham]

High speed was my favorite speed, and still is. This washer built tough doesn't mess around nor does it let ground-in dirt hide.

One of the reasons the direct drive was so successful. Some people, especially those doing laborious jobs, need a washer that can scrub out dirt, oil, grease and the like in those 10-14 minutes of wash time.

 

[phillymatt53]

Being that these OLD machines held up SO well, my logic tells me that messing with such designs by "modernizing" with some of the crap out now only benefits the corporate greed, widespread throughout our world.

Imagine, if nobody bought a certain appliance because it never broke down, how would those companies survive? LOL!
They did alright for decades before..... without being greedy.
I suppose inflation is a part of things.

 

[Chetlaham]

Being that these OLD machines held up SO well, my logic tells me that messing with such designs by "modernizing" with some of the crap out now only benefits the corporate greed, widespread throughout our world.

Imagine, if nobody bought a certain appliance because it never broke down, how would those companies survive? LOL!
They did alright for decades before..... without being greedy.
I suppose inflation is a part of things.

If people stopped buying every washer that came after the dependable care and the direct drives both would still be in production today.

This is exactly why I wish there were more people on the world like myself. Seeing people buy Atlantis, Performas, Model Ts, Frigidaires and latter VMW was extremely painful and anger inducing. I knew people were getting less for their hard earned dollar, but people simply did not care or care to understand.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

Out of any washer in existence, Whirlpool direct drives cleaned the best, especially on high speed.

I wish Corey AKA cadman sees this post.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

Being that these OLD machines held up SO well, my logic tells me that messing with such designs by "modernizing" with some of the crap out now only benefits the corporate greed, widespread throughout our world.

Imagine, if nobody bought a certain appliance because it never broke down, how would those companies survive? LOL!
They did alright for decades before..... without being greedy.
I suppose inflation is a part of things.

Exactly. Where I'll give credit is will be the early vmw washers when fabric softener option is turned on. That's it.

 

[Chetlaham]

I wish Corey AKA cadman sees this post.

I wish everyone could see it. Perhaps a documentary would draw awareness to what design 2000 was really capable of and why it was so special. If enough people demand it back, it could be brought back into production.

IIRC Bens Appliances and Junk said he was thinking about making a video about the direct drive washer platform.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

I wish everyone could see it. Perhaps a documentary would draw awareness to what design 2000 was really capable of and why it was so special. If enough people demand it back, it could be brought back into production.

IIRC Bens Appliances and Junk said he was thinking about making a video about the direct drive washer platform.

Ironically, the design 2000 was built well into that timeframe and continued until 2011.

 

[Chetlaham]

Ironically, the design 2000 was built well into that timeframe and continued until 2011.

It continued on their thin twins until approximately 2016 give or take.

 

[DADoES]

What is there to be discussed about Whirlpool's direct-drive toploader that hasn't already been covered?

 

[gelaundry4ever]

It continued on their thin twins until approximately 2016 give or take.

This goes to show how much of a hit it was. It really made your clothes smell fresh and clean.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

What is there to be discussed about Whirlpool's direct-drive toploader that hasn't already been covered?

There's yet to be a video of the design 2000 presentation from the 80s, let alone commercials for them. We have actually seen videos of them in action which I do appreciate. I'd like to see how this washer went through rigorous testing, manufacturing, and washability tests as well as the commercials from the 80s era when these were produced. This marvel of engineering was truly the washer of the future back then, in other words the 80s and beyond.

 

[Chetlaham]

What is there to be discussed about Whirlpool's direct-drive toploader that hasn't already been covered?

The general public, even some who are tech included, have no clue what a direct drive washer is or does or why it is so special. A documentary or movie would be great about raising awareness, and I feel it would be an added bonus in that the direct drives are a happy success. Such a documentary would be a proud feel good in contrast to all the doom and gloom documentaries out there.

Second, for people like myself, I know little about the research and development that went on behind the scenes in the 70s and 80s.

 

[phillymatt53]

The general public, even some who are tech included, have no clue what a direct drive washer is or does or why it is so special. A documentary or movie would be great about raising awareness, and I feel it would be an added bonus in that the direct drives are a happy success. Such a documentary would be a proud feel good in contrast to all the doom and gloom documentaries out there.

Second, for people like myself, I know little about the research and development that went on behind the scenes in the 70s and 80s.

Jeez Chet, if I wanted to watch some "doom and gloom" on tv, all I gotta do is watch ABC's "World News Tonight" with David Muir!
That so-called news show is enough to make a person slit their wrists!

 

[Chetlaham]

Jeez Chet, if I wanted to watch some "doom and gloom" on tv, all I gotta do is watch ABC's "World News Tonight" with David Muir!
That so-called news show is enough to make a person slit their wrists!

Sadly, doom and gloom is what brings in viewers. Social media has essentially proven that to be the case where the worst stuff gets lots of views so the algorithms keeps suggesting similar videos feeding an endless cycle of violence / conspiracy theory/ intolerance video consumption.

While I think it beneficial to shine a light on the short comings in this world so as to bring about positive change so history does not keep repeating itself, I also find there is a tremendous lack of pointing out the good in this world. There is so little out there memorializing the successes of humanity, and so little exalting the good that freedom, dignity and human rights has brought to this world. Even worse history is being silently buried and re-written.

People don't know what they truly have or now once had.

 

[maytag85]

What is there to be discussed about Whirlpool's direct-drive toploader that hasn't already been covered?

There have been quite a few discussions of the direct drives over the years on the site. Certainly have proved themselves, but have been discussed numerous times over the years.

I think there needs to be more discussion of the older belt drives. Certainly a favorite of mine since the slower agitation is more gentle and flex the fibers better, definitely do a good job on the Permanent Press cycle, that is on the higher end models where the speeds can manually be selected.

There’s been discussions too over the years to of the belt drives vs direct drives, but between the two, I’ll take the belt drive design. Can’t slip into spin while it’s cold, no neutral drain pack to fail inside the transmission, no spin clutch to fail. Can “fail” in terms of grabbing a bit too much, but that’s after decades of heavy usage. The original clutch on mine lasted 42 years, replaced it with the later 3 pad clutch, can’t complain about that.

 

[neptunebob]

This group might think direct drive is the "greatest washer success in history" but back in the 80s most consumers did not know of any difference between a DD Kenmore or Whirlpool and the belt driven one they put out on the curb. Oh, the opening was larger but mostly the machines looked the same. Sears never advertised that there was any difference and I think direct drives were gradually phased in to their lineup at the time. I remember in 1985 mom looked at the Limited Edition which I think was one of the last of the belt drives and was their most expensive. The sales lady said that "the Limited Edition has a steel tub, the others had a polypropylene tub". Mom ended up buying a belt drive washer that was under the Limited Edition. It lasted until about 2000. I believe that Whirlpool just let people in the industry know of this change but kept it quiet from the general consuming public and the public didn't know the difference. I never saw any washer intentionally advertised as "direct drive".

Aunt Mac bought the washer I named "Walter' around 1994 to replace the expensive Westinghouse FL from 1970 and it was direct drive. Walter was noisier and the metal seemed much thinner than on the belt driven units. Mac wasn't happy with it because she felt the Westinghouse rinsed better and was quieter.
I don't know if I read it here but somewhere I read that toward the end of belt drive production, Whirlpool stockpiled some of the BD units to have on hand in case some customers were not happy with the direct drive washers. Did that actually happen?

 

[DADoES]

Kenmore debuted DD in late 1981. (I imagine WP did a bit of prior in-home testing in a limited area to get consumer feedback.) DD was initially positioned with low- to mid-line features vs. the belt-drives, and there was some moderate touting as being a new design, smaller 24" profile but with equivalent capacity to the full-size "standard" capacity machines.

WP's first public-sale DD was a 1982 "XK" model as I recall when working summers at the local dealer and as referenced in the L-46 "Design 2000 Direct-Drive Washer" service manual (of which I have a hardcopy).
LB5500XK - two speed, hot-cold/warm-cold/cold-cold, Regular-Heavy/PermPress/Knit-Delicate/Soak-Prewash

I recall one of the early DD customers (she was an aide at the school and didn't have much of a speech filter), upon being told that Sears/Kenmore had previously introduced the new design, said "Probably would be cheaper ..... Oh, well, thank you!"

Direct-drive went to 27" width for larger capacity upon the phase-out of belt-drive, so as to replace the 18lb machines.

There were a few belt-drive models with plastic/polypropylene outer tubs.