{"id":2460,"date":"2012-07-31T10:02:27","date_gmt":"2012-07-31T14:02:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.northcountrypublicradio.org\/allin\/?p=2460"},"modified":"2012-07-31T10:02:36","modified_gmt":"2012-07-31T14:02:36","slug":"wring-in-the-new","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.northcountrypublicradio.org\/allin\/2012\/07\/31\/wring-in-the-new\/","title":{"rendered":"Wring in the new"},"content":{"rendered":"

When I moved to the north country, I was a stone-broke back-to-the-lander who knew less than nothing (less than nothing is when you think you know a little bit but actually don’t even know a little bit so you make mistakes based on that little bit of false knowledge which leaves you at less than nothing in the results department) about living on a farm.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

1936 Maytag wringer washer, electric or gas options. My first machine looked a lot like this one.<\/p><\/div>\n

I lucked out in a couple of ways: a neighbor sold us his mother’s Home Comfort wood cookstove for $10 (and delivered the behemoth in his pick up truck), and another neighbor, who caught me scrubbing jeans on the rocks in the creek across the road, took pity on me and brought by their long-discarded circa 1930s wringer washing machine. I loved that wringer washer–though I lived in constant fear of catching my hair in the wringer (the thing actually was an electric vs. handcrank model).<\/p>\n

Some years later, I gratefully inherited a regular washing machine, and yet another friend upgraded us with a later model used washer\/dryer when my son was born. Still, I much prefer a clothesline to a dryer (except in the coldest, wettest weather) and there’s something that seemed so minimalist and right about the old wringer machine.<\/p>\n

I came across this article<\/a> in Utne: young designers coming up with working solutions for doing laundry in poor urban or rural communities. It reminds me of the old wringer but is ergonomic and there’s no chance of losing your scalp in it. The two takeaways: as everyone who uses any kind of tool knows (and that’s all of us), user-friendliness matters; and, sometimes it takes a young eye to figure out what should be kept from the old ways and what should be thrown out with the, ahem, laundry water.<\/p>\n

Is there an old solution to a household chore that you remember fondly? have updated? still use? Let us know.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For buffs of old machines and tools, here’s a great sampler of Maytag wringer washers:<\/p>\n

Evolution of the Maytag Wringer Washer<\/span><\/p>\n

All early model information is based off public knowledge and some documentation found. All early Maytag records were lost in a factory fire. This does not cover all models, but it does have the bulk of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
1907<\/big><\/big><\/big><\/span><\/td>\n\"1907t.gif<\/td>\nPastime<\/span>Hand driven with crank on top.There was a flywheel underneath to help with the load of cranking.<\/span><\/p>\n

More Info.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

1909<\/big><\/big><\/big><\/span><\/td>\n\"1909t.gif<\/td>\nThe Hired Girl<\/span>Hand powered or driven from outside power source. Wringer was added.<\/span><\/p>\n

More Info.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

1911<\/big><\/big><\/big><\/span><\/td>\n\"\"<\/td>\nModel 41<\/span>Electricity supplied the motive power, and the dream of an easier washday became reality.<\/span><\/p>\n

More Info.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

1911<\/big><\/big><\/big><\/span><\/td>\n\"1910t.gif<\/td>\nModel 42<\/span>Swinging and reversible wringer added. External driven.<\/span><\/p>\n

More Info.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

1914<\/big><\/big><\/big><\/span><\/td>\n\"model40.gif<\/td>\nModel 40<\/span>Hand powered and made of southern Cypress wood like all Maytag wooden machines.<\/span><\/p>\n

More Info.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

1915<\/big><\/big><\/big><\/span><\/td>\n\"1914t.gif<\/td>\nModel 43<\/span>A\u00a0 engine was added for farms and homes without electricity. Single upright shown here. Battery powered ignition.<\/span><\/p>\n

More Info.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

1918<\/big><\/big><\/big><\/span><\/td>\n\"1917t.gif<\/td>\nModel 50 Series<\/span>Maytag first, a revolving cylinder forced water through tumbling clothes.<\/span><\/p>\n

More Info.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

1920<\/big><\/big><\/big><\/span><\/td>\n\"1919m72.gif<\/td>\nModel 70,71,72<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/dir><\/p>\n
1921<\/big><\/big><\/big><\/span><\/td>\n\"model44.gif<\/td>\nModel 44<\/span>Easy Release wringer was added for safety.<\/span>Single upright engine. Magneto ignition.<\/span><\/p>\n

More Info.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

1921<\/big><\/big><\/big><\/span><\/td>\n\"model43.gif<\/td>\nModel 45<\/span>Hand power and electric motor. Basically a model 40 with a electric motor.<\/span><\/p>\n

More Info.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

1922<\/big><\/big><\/big><\/span><\/td>\n\"model80.gif<\/td>\nModel 80,81,82<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/dir><\/p>\n
1927<\/span><\/big><\/big><\/big><\/td>\n\"model90.gif<\/td>\nModel 90,91,92<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/dir><\/p>\n
1929<\/span><\/big><\/big><\/big><\/td>\n\"frederick.jpg<\/td>\nModel 20 Fredrick<\/span>The machine was produced for the Fredrick Company, The Frederick Company was another Maytag owned Company – named after Frederick L. Maytag.\u00a0 <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1929<\/span><\/big><\/big><\/big><\/td>\n\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Model 60 & 62<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/dir><\/p>\n
1930<\/span><\/big><\/big><\/big><\/td>\n\"\"<\/td>\nModel A & B<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/dir><\/p>\n
1930<\/big><\/big><\/big><\/span><\/td>\n\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Model F, G, & H copper tub<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/dir><\/p>\n
1931<\/big><\/big><\/big><\/span><\/td>\n\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Model 15 & 16 Round Vitrolite Tub<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/dir><\/p>\n
1931<\/big><\/big><\/big><\/span><\/td>\n\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Model 25 & 26<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/dir><\/p>\n
1933<\/big><\/big><\/big><\/span><\/td>\n\"1933.gif<\/td>\nModel 30 & 31<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/dir><\/p>\n
    \n
  • 30 was electric shown here.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 31 gas model 92 single cyl. engine.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

     <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

1933<\/big><\/big><\/big><\/span><\/td>\n\"1933m10.gif<\/td>\nModel 10 & 11 Copper Tubs & <\/span>Vitrolite Tubs<\/p>\n

<\/dir><\/p>\n
    \n
  • 10 Electric shown here.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 11 Multimotr<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

     <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

1934<\/big><\/big><\/big><\/span><\/td>\n\"1933m10.gif<\/td>\nModel\u00a0 N-10 & N-11 Round <\/span>Vitrolite Tubs<\/p>\n

<\/dir><\/p>\n
    \n
  • N-10 Electric shown here.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • N-11 Multimotor<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

     <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

1934<\/big><\/big><\/big><\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0 \"1933m10.gif<\/td>\nModel 110 & 111 Round <\/span>Vitrolite Tubs<\/p>\n

<\/dir><\/p>\n
    \n
  • 110 Electric shown here.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 110 Multimotor<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

     <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

1936<\/big><\/big><\/big><\/span><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1937<\/big><\/big><\/big><\/span><\/td>\n\n

\"model30.gif<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Model 32 & 33<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/dir><\/p>\n
    \n
  • 32 was electric.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 33 first model with 72 twin gasoline engine shown here.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

     <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

1939<\/big><\/big><\/big><\/span><\/td>\n\"model108.gif<\/td>\nModel 108 & 109 Porcelain Tub.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/dir><\/p>\n
    \n
  • 108 was electric<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 109 72 twin gasoline engine.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

     <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

1939<\/big><\/big><\/big><\/span><\/td>\n\"1939.gif<\/td>\nModel E or Master<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1940<\/big><\/big><\/big><\/span><\/td>\n\"\"<\/td>\nModel J or Commander<\/span>\u00a0 Square Porcelain TubThe deluxe big brother of the master. Made gas engine or electric.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1940<\/big><\/big><\/big><\/span><\/td>\n\"\"<\/td>\nModel N or Cheiftain<\/span>\u00a0 Round Porcelain TubRound sister version of the Master. Made with gas engine or electric.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1941<\/big><\/big><\/big><\/span><\/td>\n\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Model R or Brigadier<\/span>\u00a0 Round Porcelain Tub<\/p>\n
    \n
  • RL Electric<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \n
    • RM Multimotor<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1941<\/big><\/big><\/big><\/span><\/td>\n\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Model K<\/span>\u00a0 Round Porcelain Tub<\/p>\n
    \n
  • KL Electric<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \n
    • KM Multimotor<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1945<\/big><\/big><\/big><\/span><\/td>\n\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Model E2L or Master<\/span>\u00a0 Square Aluminum TubLongest running production of any of the wringer washers, last one made Nov. 22 1983. Made gas or electric.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1945<\/big><\/big><\/big><\/span><\/td>\n\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Model N2L or Chieftain<\/span>\u00a0 Round Porcelain on Steel Tub<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1946<\/big><\/big><\/big><\/span><\/td>\n\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Model J2L or Commander<\/span>\u00a0 Square Porcelain on Steel Tub<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1955<\/big><\/big><\/big><\/span><\/td>\n\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Model NX\u00a0 called the “Blue Bell”<\/span>\u00a0 Round Porcelain Tub<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When I moved to the north country, I was a stone-broke back-to-the-lander who knew less […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[8441,8440,1421,8439,8438],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.northcountrypublicradio.org\/allin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2460"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.northcountrypublicradio.org\/allin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.northcountrypublicradio.org\/allin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.northcountrypublicradio.org\/allin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.northcountrypublicradio.org\/allin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2460"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.northcountrypublicradio.org\/allin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2460\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.northcountrypublicradio.org\/allin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2460"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.northcountrypublicradio.org\/allin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2460"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.northcountrypublicradio.org\/allin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2460"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}