April 13, 1926
Frederick Louis Maytag built his first washing machine in 1907, after 15 years of manufacturing farm equipment. He needed a product to outside of threshing season and made the Maytag Pastime Washer out of the finest cypress wood. Two years later he bought out his partners and renamed the Parsons Company after himself.
In 1909 an engine was hooked up to the washer and the machine was marketed as The Hired Girl Washer.
Electric power allowed the wringer to be moved over sinks and tubs and thus the Swinging Wringer of 1911 was born.
The next big advance came when the wooden tub was replaced with a new process that cast aluminum tub that resisted dents and did not rust.
By 1926 machines were being sold by the trainload and the ad claims that one third of all washing machines sold were Maytags.
The copy says that the machine will wash up to 50 pounds (dry weight) in an hour.
Clothes dryers were solar powered at this point.
“All with a gentleness and thoroughness unmatched by the most careful human hands.”
“No hard rubbing follows a Maytag washing. Collars, cuffs and wrist bands come out spotlessly clean without destructive scrubbing, dragging or pounding.”
You can reach Cline’s Electrical Shop by phoning 312W
Apparently Paso Robles Mercantile Co. was so well known they don’t have to list a street address or phone number.
Advertisement from the San Luis Daily Telegram.
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The “Hired Girl Washer” … I like that. =^)
Still the best washing machine on the market.
I should have become a Maytag repairman, Because, according to the commercials, the Maytag repair man never has to work. And, well, that sounds kinda cool to me. I mean, really, think of all the reading you could do — on the clock!
Unless, of course, the Maytag repairman works on commission, in which case, forget it. I’ll work for GE instead.