There are some things that we and others encounter in our daily lives so often, that it’s nearly impossible to imagine a time where we lived without it. Where would we be today if we didn’t have a convenient and reliable car to quickly and safely get to the places we need to go? How would you function without a cell phone in your hand, without your contacts, email, and social media channels just a push of a button away?
While there’s no denying the enormous impact modern technology such as personal vehicles and cell phones have in our society, let’s take a moment to also consider another item that would be next to impossible to sacrifice: the modern washing machine.
It goes without saying that the washing machines we are familiar with today didn’t always start out that way. In fact, the history of how this wonderful invention came to be is a fascinating one!Thousands of years ago, washerwomen took on the laborious household chore of washing linen by rubbing the cloth on stones or wooden planks to remove stains and encrusted dirt. As the years passed, specifically, around the year 2800 BC, washerwomen improved their already advanced skills by using a variety of natural detergents, such as birch cinders, that would better clean the fabric.
But the washing machine we are familiar with today didn’t start to take shape until the early 20th century. In 1905 the first drum washing machines appeared; these were hand operated but the steel tank allowed for a coal burner to be included in order to make the water hot when necessary. Just over 25 years later, technology advanced even further, when washing machines became automatic and featured pressure switches, thermostats, and timers. From the 1980s onward, all washing machines were further equipped with weight sensing and the allowance of different cycles, such as colors, whites, and even wools.
Have you ever been casually asked the question, “If you could live in another time period besides this one, what would you chose?” There are a variety of ways to answer this entertaining question. But as thrilling as it would be to experience Paris during the Roaring 1920s, for example, it would be difficult to give up the things that we as a society have gotten used to. Thankfully, the fact that we live in the 21st century doesn’t mean we have to say goodbye to the things we count on, like a washing machine. In fact, the more time goes on, the more technology will advance to make this convenience even better.
Be part of the growing and changing history of the washing machine and visit Discount Appliance World for the latest and greatest of washing technology today. We are located at 509 Exchange Street in the heart of Geneva.