The real inventor of the washing machine is not known. There have been several women and men who have been credited as the creators of this household appliance. There is evidence that washing machines were in use as early as the 16th century. These washing machines, however, bear no resemblance to modern washing machines. Many people have contributed to the design and development of washing machines.
From ancient laundries that used abrasive sand to remove dirt from modern appliances, washing machines have evolved enormously. The earliest patent relating to washing machines dates back to 1691 in England. So who invented the washing machine?
Earliest washing machines
What year was the washing machine invented? In 1767, the German scientist Jacob Christian Schaffer invented the washing machine. Shaffer was a jack of all trades, earning degrees in theology and philosophy. He was also a member of several academic societies. The first patent for a rotary drum washing machine was issued by Henry Seager in 1782.
In the early years of the 1790s, Edward Beetham successfully marketed and sold several "patent washing mills" throughout England. Three decades after Shaffer's washing machine, the cleaning board was created in 1797 to make it easier to wash clothes. That same year, the first patent, titled "Washing Clothes," was awarded to New Hampshire inventor Nathaniel Briggs. However, no image of the device is available due to the patent office fire in 1836.
Evolution in the world of washing machines
Drum and rotary washing machines
In 1851, James King issued a patent for a washing machine with a drum. This device is the earliest relative of modern washing machines. Although the device was still primarily mechanical, the physical demands were greatly reduced. King's washing machine had an engine that was powered by a crank. During the 1850s, the drum-mounted King washing machine was improved.
Washing machines did not have a rotary mechanism until 1858 when Hamilton Smith issued a patent for a rotary washing machine. In 1861, James King included a wringer in his drum machine. All this time, the washing machines produced were mainly for commercial use. They were too expensive for many, or too bulky to use in the household for laundry. The first washing machine designed specifically for home use was created by William Blackstone from the US state of Indiana. He created a washing machine for his wife as a gift in 1874.
Machines with electric drive
Washing machines with electric drive appeared on the market in the early 18th century. The first washing machine was nicknamed Thor. Alva J. Fisher invented it in 1901.It was a galvanized bathtub driven by an electric motor. In the same year, metal drums replaced wooden drums. The Hurley Machine Company produced the first electric washing machines on the Fisher prototype in 1908. The patent for this device was issued on August 9, 1910.
Automatic washing machines
By 1950, manufacturers could only offer customers semi-automatic models of washing machines. But in 1962 the situation changed dramatically. The first automatic washing machine appeared on the market. Mile Corporation invented the first washing machine. She had a mechanism for spinning, and she was controlled by just one button and two toggle switches (one for the washing mode, the other for drying). The only drawback was a weak spin, but against the background of the pluses, this drawback was insignificant.
In 1978, the Miele company introduced a new microprocessor-controlled apparatus. It no longer needed to switch modes, everything happened automatically. This washing machine was the first in the automatic market.
Note: Mile Corporation invented the first washing machine.
Modern washing machines
There are various types of modern washing machines available on the market today. Some of the better known manufacturers include LG, Bosch and Samsung among the others. While each of these modern washing machines has unique, patented features, they all borrow some aspects of early washing machines. Performance is no longer a problem in washing machines, as it was in early devices. Modern washing machine designs are focused primarily on efficiency and reduced energy and water consumption.
Facts About Several Famous Washing Machine Companies
The Maytag Corporation began in 1893 when F.L. Maytag began manufacturing agricultural implements in Newton, Iowa. Things were slow during the winter, so to add to his product line, he introduced the wooden tub washing machine in 1907. Maytag soon devoted himself entirely to the production of washing machines.
The Whirlpool Corporation was founded in 1911 as the Upton Machine Co., founded in St. Joseph, Michigan to manufacture electric motor wringer washers.
The origins of the Schulthess group go back over 150 years. In 1909 they started manufacturing their first washing machines. In 1949, the Schulthess group supported the invention of punched card control for washing machines. In 1951, the production of the first automatic washing machines in Europe began. In 1978, the first microchip controlled automatic washing machines were released.
Hello. Very good and informative site
I myself am engaged in the repair of electronic scales and bill-counting washing machines about the same time as you washing machines). I was looking for information on engines from washing machines (there is one available, I'm going to attach it to a lathe), I accidentally got here. There will be suddenly questions about weights - please contact the mail). By the way, do you happen to be a dishwasher?
By the way, I have a BEKO WM3500 washing machine - I bought it around 2004, only the power button went out of order during this time)