Laundry Day Through History

It's a
Wishy-Washy Subject

People have been washing clothes (or furs) for a long time. Most sites say that humans finally got a clue that good hygiene made for better health. I'm of the opinion that people liked to be comfortable then as now. Their skin chafed and got rashes just like ours does, so it stands to reason that they'd want to rid themselves of particulate matter just as we do. Take a look P&G's overview of laundry methods from prehistoric times until the present for good information on products used, and when.

But, lazy person that I am, I'm more interested in gadgets, so let's start a little later in the game . . . say, the 1800s.

The washboard appears to be invented in 1797 and none of the sources cite the inventor, so we'll let that one slide. Before that, in Lancaster, England, Mr. Rogerson received a patent for the machine he invented to 'wash, press out water and to press linen and wearing apparel.'

In the US, Hamilton Smith invented the rotary washing machine in 1858. Try as I might, I couldn't find a single picture of it or a facsimile. :sigh:

The next great step forward in the history of laundry is the invention of the electric motor to drive the agitation, and in 1907, the Hurley Corporation came out with the "Thor." This washer had a wooden tub, and the motor was mounted underneath to drive the paddles. It had two drawbacks: 1) many pre-WW1 houses had no electricity, and 2) because of the unprotected motor, on occasion a laundress was electrocuted, which, shall we say, dampened their spirits some.

Before I forget, if you wanna know about the Japanese evolution of washers, try the Toshiba Museum.


The 1911 Maytag Model 42 had a swinging, reversable wringer--definitely a plus for the lady of the house! You can see many vintage washing machines on the Maytag Collectors Club page.

Several other improvements were made along the way, including the Maytag 1918 model which featured a revolving cylinder that forced water through tumbling clothes.



From museumofcommunications.org:
Western Electric distributed this washing machine in 1924. As an advertisement of the time said, "Here is a Clothes Washer that combines pleasing appearance with the stoutly-built mechanism needed to get clothes really clean." I dunno . . . we're still not quite to a machine that I'd trust with a nice blouse.




How about durability? The Maytag Model E was manufactured from 1939 until 1983. My mother had one of these, and it lasted for 30 years of heavy use. I doubt very seriously that the machines manufactured today will be able to make such a boast.

Several washing methods were developed, but only two stood the test of time: agitating (top loaders) and tumbling (front loaders). Agitating landed the majority of the American market, but the Europeans preferred front loaders. Here's a 1950 front loader.


Whatever washing methods we choose, I'm just glad we have one. Happy writing, and enjoy your nice, freshly laundered clothes.

Jacquie



Jacquie Rogers
2006 PEARL Award Winner, Best Short Story
Faery Special Romances Available now!
Check out the book video
Royalties go to Children's Tumor Foundation, ending Neurofibromatosis through Research

--
Posted By Jacquie to Unusual Historicals at 5/27/2007 07:39:00 AM
__._,_.___

Festival of Stars!

Sometimes I let my scribe post things. This time, she's posting a review of a book she read. I'm telling you, my scribe is a total sucker for faery tales!

Festival of Stars
by Eilis Flynn
ISBN: 978-1419909054
Publisher: Cerridwen Press

Who doesn't love fairytales? Eilis Flynn pens a compelling story of two lovers destined to be together, yet driven apart. The ravens flock to urge the lovers together in the Japanese tradition of Tanabata--Festival of Stars.

Dare Borodin learned early in life to hide his half-Japanese heritage. Kristin Olafsson takes great pride in her mixed heritage, using cultural skills learned from her Japanese mother and her Swedish grandmother.

When first the ravens flocked, Dare had broken his wrist in a car accident and went to the ER for treatement. Dr. Kristin Olafsson confused him with her Japanese looks and Swedish height. He managed to say everything wrong; needless to say, the lovers weren't meant to be together that night. Two years later, he hurt his knee, and once again Dr. Olafsson treated him. The stars seemed more aligned this time, but a terrible faux pas separated the couple once more.

What an incredible interweaving of Japanese tradition and modern romance! Kristin and Dare are wonderful characters in this story of love, loss, and loving again. Ms. Flynn ties ravens, a second chance, racial prejudice, and true love altogether in a riveting story--a romantic tale to warm your heart.

I highly recommend this book!

http://www.cerridwenpress.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=9781419909054

reviewed by Jacquie Rogers
author of Faery Special Romances
Highland Press

Faery Special Romances by Jacquie Rogers

Once Upon A Time, the faery princess Keely tried to match . . .. . . a misguided faery maiden and a surly but handsome knight, the pirate Devlin Angell and the ever-hopeful Myra, a faery under the ruse of Lord Kembell and a lady of noble birth, a blacksmith and a duchess, a flapper and a barnstormer pilot . . .But can Keely keep her own heart?



read more | digg story

Sparkles to Celebrate!

Yes, I'm celebrating!!! My editor has approved the galley and Faery Special Romances is now officially being printed. That means . . . drum roll please . . . there will be an actual, real paper book SOON! Like in a few weeks.

Sherry Walker is busy making Faery Good Bath Salts. Sherrie Holmes is making the most wondrous cards using my cover, and Hurricane Mercedes, well, who knows what she's doing. She sure keeps my scribe hopping, though.

TTFN,
Keely

I've Been Tagged! (Thanks, Glo!)

I've been tagged by Samhain author Gloria Wiederhold. This is very cool because most of the time, my scribe (Jacquie Rogers) is tagged, but no one EVER tags me. So thanks, Glo!

Directions - POST RULES...

1. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.

2. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.

3. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.

4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.



EIGHT RANDOM FACTS ABOUT ME


1. In contemporary times, I'm about 950 years old--but very mature for my age, of course.

2. I'm a princess. While my mum has been occasionally criticized for being overindulgent, she sees the need for me to have a variety of experiences for when I begin my reign as Queen of Faeries.

3. My first starring role was in Faery Good Advice. Due to my excellent performance, my scribe won the 2006 P.E.A.R.L. Award from ParaNormal Romance Readers for best short story. You can read the story in No Law Against Love, and again, with a new, satisfying ending (the real one) Faery Special Romances to be released later this month.

4. My first love was the handsome Caedmon, Chief of Portal Police. He didn't even look at me twice, though, since he was completely enamored with Gracie, who was posing as a man so she could play a woman's role in Bill Shakespeare's play, Much Ado About Nothing.

5. Myra gave me quite a run for my money during my first stint as faery godmother. Good grief, you just try finding a son of a viscount for a barmaid!

6. I'm quite a good matchmaker. Several of my couples are living their Happily Ever After's, thanks to moi.

7. My scribe is donating all royalties to Children's Tumor Foundation, ending Neurofibromatosis through Research.

8. Faery Special Romances will be released this month!!! Now, I'm waiting for a Hollywood director to cast me as leading lady in the next summer blockbuster. It's only a matter of time.

I'm tagging these 8 people:
Desperate Writer
Meagan Hatfield
Celia May Hart
Gabrielle Luthy
Shelli Stevens
Heather Hiestand
Eilis Flynn
M.J. Sager