Whirlpool Presents: "Keep Your Cool....Line" - 1970 16mm

[cadman]

Here's a fun Jam Handy film from 1970, showing off all of the consumer-advocate changes WP was making in the late 60's (and not just their toll-free Cool Line). There's also references to the Care-A-Van production shared recently, and of course lots of interesting behind-the-scenes footage and photos of various production lines and products not seen before. And is that Edgar Buchanan (Uncle Joe) voicing the animated husband?

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

A thing ahead of its time and what a “cool” company Whirlpool was to come up with and thoroughly demonstrate leading to others to follow suit…

Thanks Corey!

 

[vacerator]

Sears was servicing what they sold since at least 1962. They must have had an agreement with Whirlpool for laundry products under warranty for reimbursement as the manufacturer.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Sears was servicing what they sold since at least 1962. They must have had an agreement with Whirlpool for laundry products under warranty for reimbursement as the manufacturer.

Yes, purposely had to in order for no one but Sears to service its own appliances... And with parts from Whirlpool, the funds for the commerce of had to go directly there...

It had to also head-off potential repairs and complaints, so there was clearly a prompt for this become a good idea for the manufacturer (Whirlpool) to incorporate this philosophy in its own branded line, afterwards...

 

[circlew]

Yes, purposely had to in order for no one but Sears to service its own appliances... And with parts from Whirlpool, the funds for the commerce of had to go directly there...

It had to also head-off potential repairs and complaints, so there was clearly a prompt for this become a good idea for the manufacturer (Whirlpool) to incorporate this philosophy in its own branded line, afterwards...

Dave, at that time Sears had substantial ownership of Whirlpool.

 

[vacerator]

Also a partnership with NASA. I also learned about the Kitchen debate between Nixon and Krustchef at the American Exposition in Moscow.

 

[cadman]

Dave, at that time Sears had substantial ownership of Whirlpool.

I think that's a pretty popular opinion, but I've yet to be able to substantiate any claims of Sears' ownership in WP. Of course, they did have a long-standing contract for Kenmore and Coldspot appliances which all but guaranteed their success, and Sears did start divesting their WP stock later on, should the relationship get a little...too close.

 

[circlew]

I think that's a pretty popular opinion, but I've yet to be able to substantiate any claims of Sears' ownership in WP. Of course, they did have a long-standing contract for Kenmore and Coldspot appliances which all but guaranteed their success, and Sears did start divesting their WP stock later on, should the relationship get a little...too close.

I was told this by a woman who owned a Sears Authorized Catalog Merchant store in the town where I live. This was in 1976, when I worked for her part time. I also heard similar from another of my mom's friends whose son-in-law was rather high up in Sears in Chicago. I believe the maximum amount of Whirlpool stock owned was never over 51%. They also owned varying amounts of Roper (ranges and mowers), and DeSoto (paint, wallcovering, and detergent). The lady I worked for has moved, and I don't know if the man who worked in Chicago is still living or not.