Advertisement Banner

The First Electric Washing Machine

23 Jan 2016
Tags: ,




The first mass-marketed electric washing machine was the Thor, a tumble washer produced by the Hurley Machine company in 1908.  The machine worked by tumbling clothes with wooden drum, in two directions, at eight revolutions per minute.
The drum's rotation mechanisms were powered by a single Westinghouse Electric company electric motor and connected together via drive belts. Most inventively however, the Thor featured an Integrated clutch which allowed the machine switch revolution direction be held in a stationary position once power was applied.

Also See How Digital Camera Works

  Working Mechanism 



1
Spin
 The drum turned at eight revolutions per minute before reversing direction to spin again. 
2
Wringer 
 The machine's chain-driven wringing mechanism could be reversed through the operation of a top-right- mounted lever.
3
Power 
 Unlike modern machines, the Thor did not have an on/off switch, instead requiring users to physically disconnect its power cord to turn it off.
4
Drum 
 The Thor's drum was made of wood, into which a galvanized tub was inserted to hold clothes. 
5
Clutch 
 A control lever on the left side of the machine was operated to engage and disengage its clutch.

For more info on Thor Washing Machine, click this link.

Enjoyed this post?
Get all the news you need about how, vintage with the TW's newsletter

©2013-2025 TEchnicalWisdom.blogspot.com

↩ go back
The Thor washing machine was the first electric clothes washer sold commercially in the United States. Right- Thor Electric Washing Machine Ad from The Jewish Monitor in 1921 The first mass-marketed electric washing machine was the Thor, a tumble washer produced by the Hurley Machine company in 1908.  The machine worked by tumbling clothes with wooden drum, in two directions, at eight revolutions per minute. The drum's rotation mechanisms were powered by a single Westinghouse Electric company electric motor and connected together via drive belts. Most inventively however, the Thor featured an Integrated clutch which allowed the machine switch revolution direction be held in a stationary position once power was applied. Also See How Digital Camera Works   Working Mechanism  1 Spin  The drum turned at eight revolutions per minute before reversing direction to spin again.  2 Wringer   The machine's chain-driven wringing mechanism could be reversed through the operation of a top-right- mounted lever. 3 Power   Unlike modern machines, the Thor did not have an on/off switch, instead requiring users to physically disconnect its power cord to turn it off. 4 Drum   The Thor's drum was made of wood, into which a galvanized tub was inserted to hold clothes.  5 Clutch   A control lever on the left side of the machine was operated to engage and disengage its clutch. For more info on Thor Washing Machine, click this link.