Thor Washing Machine
Encyclopedia
The Thor washing machine was the first electric clothes washer sold commercially in the United States. Produced by the Chicago-based Hurley Electric Laundry Equipment Company, the 1907 Thor is believed to be the first electrically powered washer ever manufactured, crediting Hurley as the inventor of the first automatic washing machine
. Designed by Hurley engineer Alva J. Fisher, a patent for the new electric Thor was issued on August 9, 1910, three years after its initial invention.
The idea of an automatic washing machine had been around for many years but these were crude mechanical efforts that typically involved a manually operated crank
or similar design. In many ways, the patent of the new Thor washer sounds modern, even today. The patent states that a 'perforated cylinder is rotatably mounted within the tub containing the wash water'. A series of blades lifted the clothes as the cylinder rotated. After 8 rotations on one direction, the machine would reverse rotation to 'prevent the cloths from wadding up into a compact mass'. Drive belts attached to a Westinghouse
motor connected to three wheels of different sizes, which moved the drum during operation. The design also included a clutch
, which allowed the machine to switch direction, and an emergency stop rod. The new Thor washer was mass marketed
throughout the United States beginning in 1908.
claims to have produced the first electric washer in 1906; a year before Thor's release. Additionally, it has been stated in various articles on the Internet that a Ford Motor Company
employee invented the electric washer in late 19th century or early 20th century. Since Ford was incorporated in 1903, it seems unlikely that the Ford story is valid. Regardless, Thor remains one of the first (if not the first) company to manufacture and sell an automatic washing machine on a large scale.
, typically in the shape of disk, tilted back and forth within the washer drum
while simultaneously rotating. The early 1930s tilt-a-whirl design was the first agitator to move water in a both a horizontal and vertical motion. The 1936 version of the Thor tilt-a-whirl incorporated sculpted hands embossed on the agitator. At the time, some Thor dealers painted the fingernails of the hands on demonstration machines.
. The top-loading machine included both a removable clothes washing drum and a dish-washing drum. The Automagic was widely marketed but disappeared from the marketplace soon after its introduction, as many consumers soured to the idea of washing dirty clothing and dishes in the same machine.
Washing machine
A washing machine is a machine designed to wash laundry, such as clothing, towels and sheets...
. Designed by Hurley engineer Alva J. Fisher, a patent for the new electric Thor was issued on August 9, 1910, three years after its initial invention.
The idea of an automatic washing machine had been around for many years but these were crude mechanical efforts that typically involved a manually operated crank
Crank (mechanism)
A crank is an arm attached at right angles to a rotating shaft by which reciprocating motion is imparted to or received from the shaft. It is used to change circular into reciprocating motion, or reciprocating into circular motion. The arm may be a bent portion of the shaft, or a separate arm...
or similar design. In many ways, the patent of the new Thor washer sounds modern, even today. The patent states that a 'perforated cylinder is rotatably mounted within the tub containing the wash water'. A series of blades lifted the clothes as the cylinder rotated. After 8 rotations on one direction, the machine would reverse rotation to 'prevent the cloths from wadding up into a compact mass'. Drive belts attached to a Westinghouse
Westinghouse Electric (1886)
Westinghouse Electric was an American manufacturing company. It was founded in 1886 as Westinghouse Electric Company and later renamed Westinghouse Electric Corporation by George Westinghouse. The company purchased CBS in 1995 and became CBS Corporation in 1997...
motor connected to three wheels of different sizes, which moved the drum during operation. The design also included a clutch
Clutch
A clutch is a mechanical device which provides for the transmission of power from one component to another...
, which allowed the machine to switch direction, and an emergency stop rod. The new Thor washer was mass marketed
Mass marketing
Mass marketing is a market coverage strategy in which a firm decides to ignore market segment differences and go after the whole market with one offer. It is type of marketing of a product to a wide audience. The idea is to broadcast a message that will reach the largest number of people possible...
throughout the United States beginning in 1908.
Controversy
There is dispute over who was the first inventor of the automatic washer. A company called Nineteen Hundred Washing Machine Company of Binghamton, NYBinghamton, New York
Binghamton is a city in the Southern Tier of New York in the United States. It is near the Pennsylvania border, in a bowl-shaped valley at the confluence of the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers...
claims to have produced the first electric washer in 1906; a year before Thor's release. Additionally, it has been stated in various articles on the Internet that a Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
employee invented the electric washer in late 19th century or early 20th century. Since Ford was incorporated in 1903, it seems unlikely that the Ford story is valid. Regardless, Thor remains one of the first (if not the first) company to manufacture and sell an automatic washing machine on a large scale.
Tilt-a-whirl agitator
Thor invented the tilt-a-whirl system in which the agitatorAgitator (device)
An agitator is a device or mechanism to put something into motion by shaking or stirring.-Manual agitator:* Manual dishwashers* A rock can be a device used to agitate dirt and other solids from fabric in washing* A stirring rod...
, typically in the shape of disk, tilted back and forth within the washer drum
Drum (container)
A drum is a cylindrical container used for shipping bulk cargo. Drums can be made of steel, dense paperboard , or plastics, and are generally used for the transportation and storage of liquids and powders. Drums are often certified for shipment of dangerous goods...
while simultaneously rotating. The early 1930s tilt-a-whirl design was the first agitator to move water in a both a horizontal and vertical motion. The 1936 version of the Thor tilt-a-whirl incorporated sculpted hands embossed on the agitator. At the time, some Thor dealers painted the fingernails of the hands on demonstration machines.
Automagic washer/dishwasher
In the 1940s, Thor introduced the Automagic hybrid washer/dishwasherDishwasher
A dishwasher is a mechanical device for cleaning dishes and eating utensils. Dishwashers can be found in restaurants and private homes.Unlike manual dishwashing, which relies largely on physical scrubbing to remove soiling, the mechanical dishwasher cleans by spraying hot water, typically between ...
. The top-loading machine included both a removable clothes washing drum and a dish-washing drum. The Automagic was widely marketed but disappeared from the marketplace soon after its introduction, as many consumers soured to the idea of washing dirty clothing and dishes in the same machine.