I was recently asked if I knew when the clothes dryers became popular. Not a question I had thought about much, the dryer tends to get overlooked. After doing a bit of research here is what I found out. Quite facinating!
From far back people have always wanted a better, faster way to dry clothes then using nature. In the 1700s a "ventilator" was invented, a drum with holes that was turned over a fire by hand. It was never really practicul as the clothes smelled like smoke and soot, and there was always the risk of catching fire.
In 1892 a patent was granted to George Sampson of Ohio for a ventilator type dryer that used the hot air from a stove. This method was not too efficient as the clothes were laid out on racks and only a small amount could be dried at a time.
Finally J. Ross Moore, a North Dakota farmer who was tired of hanging clothes out in the freezing winter weather, came up with the idea of a drum type dryer. After 30 years of perfecting it, Mr. Moore persuaded the Hamilton Manufacturing Company of Two Rivers, WI to manufacture his dryer. The "June Day" automatic clothes dryer was introduced in 1938. During WWII production had to be halted but started again in the late 40s. According to an article on the internet "In 1955, only 10 percent of U.S. households had dryers". But that soon changed! The automatic clothes dryer steadily gained popularity until now every household has one. Source: ehow-The History of the Dryer
Great post! When I was 2 years old, my mom had an old wringer washer - that my long hair got caught in. It also got caught in the belt of the outdoor pump once. It's a wonder I have any hair left. Thank goodness for technology! Love these old ads, Heidi! Look at that huge laundry room the second photo. :-)
ReplyDeleteMy goodness! Lol! You had quite a childhood.
DeleteVintage ads are so interesting. I love them! (you might have noticed) As for the large laundry room in the second ad, I was thinking it was part of a kitchen, not sure.....
Very interesting! I've just taken my dryer for granted. I do remember my first dryer, however. I had to be in the hospital for about a month before my last baby was born, and Popa bought a dryer so the person staying with our other girls could dry the clothes.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great memory! To think, you had small children without a dryer......did you just hang your clothes to dry in the basement?
DeleteThe clothes were hung outside, diapers and all!!
DeleteLove the adorable pictures, especially the kids standing in line for their clothes. I knew i liked vintage, but didn't know I was THAT vintage having no dryer!
ReplyDeleteLol! Hadn't thought if it that way!
DeleteI thought that ad was espeically cute too.
You know, I don't own a dryer, but it's a matter of preference for me. I just don't like them. I lived in an apartment complex for several years, always having to dry clothes at the laundry mat,it wasn't easy for me. Carrying the hampers into my Van and driving to the laundry mat, then bringing the hampers back to the apartment. Oh I how I wished for a home so I could have my own washer and outdoor hang line...don't get me wrong, I guess if I were to move back into an apartment I wouldn't discriminate the dryer... Loved your post.
ReplyDeleteJacqueline
Thanks! I had a lot of fun researching it.
DeleteYou know if I lived in a warmer place (like Texas!) where there is more warm sunny days then cold and cloudy ones, I think I would also try and do without a dryer. In the north they are kind of a neccesity. Then there is the whole allergy issue..... very allergic to tree pollen. So maybe it wouldn't work anyway.
You are right about dryers being a necessity in northern states...that is so true and then the allergies...
DeleteLoved the history of the dryer I too have a dryer but try not to use it to much. One of my favourite smells is ironing after the clothes have been blowing outside.
ReplyDeleteOhhhh Yes! Nothing like that outside fresh air smell on sheets and blankets!
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