The Shocking History of Washing Machine

Washing machines are one of the essentials at our homes. It may come as a surprise to many that the appliances date back to 1850’s and people have been doing laundry ever since they graduated to wearing clothes instead of leaves! Up until the invention of the washing machines, people had been hand-washing their clothes with a washboard and a tub of water.

As is understandable, washing every piece of clothing by hand was not just a tedious but also a very time-consuming task. It was laborious enough that most women did not have time to do anything else on the days that they did their laundry. From rubbing the clothes on stones and wooden planks to adding sand to remove encrusted stains, the process was a very long one indeed!

The First Ever Washing Machine

The first ever washing machine was invented by Jacob Christian Schaffer in 1767, but it wasn’t until 30 years later that an American, Nathaniel Briggs, obtained the first patent for a washing machine.

The very first washing machine involved a system that pumped hot water into a tank, a turning lever that helped wash the clothes and then wringing them between two rollers to help dry them up. Once the washing was done, the tank was drained used an attached tap. 

The Introduction of Electric Machines

While the first washing machine was invented in early 1800’s, it wasn’t until 210 years later that the first electric-drum washing machine came about.

In 1908, the ‘Thor’ was the first electric-powered washing machine which was produced by the Hurley Machine Company in Chicago. The design of the machine was patented by A.J. Fischer and the machine was a big step in improving both the time as well as the efficiency required in washing clothes. This washing machine opened up an unexplored dimension for the laundry-doers as the design improved over time.

Thor changed the commercial laundry business in a huge way, but there were other notable companies like Maytag Corporation who had their eye on the consumer market and began manufacturing washing machine for farms!

It might also be interesting to know that ‘Upton Machine Co.’, now famously known as ‘the Whirlpool Corporation’ were the first ones to introduce electric motor-driven wrangler washing machines.

The Washing Machine of Today

From large wooden drums to electric motor-driven washing machines, we have now come a long way! The latest washing machines are connected to the internet and come with in-built automatic programs that provide the maximum work at the lowest energy consumption possible! There are also machines that work without any detergents, thanks to electrolysis, while a vast majority come equipped with touchpads that allow efficient operation and also adds to the modern and sleek look of the machine.

With the modern washing machines that we have now, it is difficult to even imagine how the world fared without one. Elevating the ordinary to the extraordinary, Orient is adding to the smartness and the ease of the washing machine by introducing models that are smart, efficient, but fit right in with the modern requirements. Get the best washing machines online as you shop from Orient now!