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Scrub Board
The earliest washing "machine" was the scrub board invented in 1797. 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. -
Home washing machine and wringer
Interior view of a kitchen showing woman using a washing machine as her employer watches. In background another woman washes clothes in a wash tub. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA dcu -
First electric home washing machine
The first electric washing machine sold commercially in the United States was the Thor washing machine, produced by Hurley Electric Laundry Equipment Company in 1907. The Thor washing machine was designed by Hurley engineer Alva J. Fisher, a patent for the new electric washing machine was issued on August 9, 1910. The Thor electric washing machine was mass marketed throughout America in 1908. US electric washing machine sales reached 913,000 units in 1928. -
Wash Tub and Washing Machine
Located in the National Archives, this picture shows a family doing laundry in 1939. The family is using a washing machine that consisted of a large tub and a board. Individuals would have to run each clothing through the board seperately. tp://www.archives.gov/atlanta/exhibits/item375-full.html -
Washing machine today
A picture of a current washing machine in 2016. Over the years, washing machines have evolved from scrub boards, to boards in a bucket, to electric washing machines but still requiring people to put the clothes through, to this wonderful machine!
