Washing of laundry linen belonged to the heavier work form the housekeeping works for long centuries. It belonged to the worst work in hospitalities, hotels, army and so on. Although people thought out how this work made easier [for example Englishman Stender constructed a washing machine about 1750 already], the only helpers of washerwomen were wash – tubes and washboard all time [and sometimes they were not either].

The first practically used washing machine was appeared about 1885 and in its principle it was nothing else then; the push – button washboard”: The washerwoman did not scrape linen on the washboard but contrary ” the washboard” was moving in a swinging way on the linen. The original flat surface of the washboard was changed on the out – side rolling one, which was swinging into inner rolling surface. Between both rolling surfaces the linen was. Both half – rolling washboards were produced this way like the common washboards from the galvanized tinplate and they were fitted in the wooden construction. Its advantage was except other this that there was possible to use hot water because the washerwoman did not wash her hands in water.

Even if these wash machines were very primitive though they gained recognition for it that they made heavy work easier. Nevertheless next heavy work stayed: it was wringing. The first wringing machine was appeared on the break of 19^th and 20^th century; on the top area of the washing machine was fitted a frame with two cylinders with vulcanized rubber. These cylinders were turning with a handle and between them linen was been wringing.

The wash machine with wringing machine on a hand and electrical drives from Indiana in the early of 20^th century.
(Taken from http://oldwash.com/museum/lives.htm)

At the beginning of 20^th century electrification ” hit so wash machines. First produces only added electromotor to the produced washing machines [it was the same situation like at the beginning of the development of car when into a coach roped by horses was given a motor], later they gave the washing machine a new ”coat” and the motor was build in the inner side. Only a wringing machine stayed ” out”. In certain period it was just ” independent”. But there was appeared a new solution: instead wringing by going liner between cylinders the linen was wringing – this way as it is in today – by centrifugation.

The centrifugal wringing machine from 1927
(Taken from http://www.science - tech.nmstc.ca/english/collection/wash14.cfm)

”The propeller” of the spin washer according Australian ideas from 30ties
(taken from http://www.oldewash.com/museum/lives.htm)

However the development asked the fusion of washing and wringing into whole act. But it was not possible at the whirling spin washer, if we let out ” twin’, when the separate spin washer and separate wringing machine were put into one whole [sooner very spread washing machines Romo]. And this way the drum washing machines were discovery on the same principle like are this today’s ones. It was in 40ies. That day’s washing machines were looked like these from our days: they filled water themselves, wormed it, washed, rinsed, wringed and emptied water.

The advertising leaflet on the one from the first automatic washing machines. There was written 1949
(Taken from http://www.science - tech.nmstc.ca/english/collection/wash11.cfm)

In 50ies automatic washing machines with similar functions today’s ones were appeared yet
(Taken from http://www.science - tech.nmstc.ca/english/collection/wash15.cfm)