Evolution of the washing machine

How we clean clothes

Mar 20, 1700

Ancient peoples cleaned their clothes by pounding them on rocks or rubbing them with abrasive sands; and washing the dirt away in local streams.

The first washing machine

Mar 21, 1797

The earliest washing "machine" was the scrub board invented in 1797.

King and the first drum washer

Mar 20, 1851

American, James King patented the first washing machine to use a drum in 1851, the drum made King's machine resemble a modern machine, however it was still hand powered.

Rotary washer

Mar 20, 1858

In 1858, Hamilton Smith patented the rotary washing machine

Home washer

Mar 20, 1874

William Blackstone of Indiana built a birthday present for his wife. It was a machine which removed and washed away dirt from clothes. The first washing machines designed for convenient use in the home.

Its electric

Mar 20, 1908

The Thor was the first electric-powered washing machine. Introduced in 1908 by the Hurley Machine Company of Chicago, Illinois, the Thor washing machine was invented Alva J. Fisher. The Thor was a drum type washng machine with a galvanized tub and an electric motor.

Today's washers

Mar 20, 2015

The most used machine that is owned in America