Welcome back! In our previous blog post we talked about the history of dryers. While we might not always consider where these machines came from, one thing is for certain, we all take them for granted. The dryer has come a long way in the last hundred years.
From drying clothing over an open fire to the machines we use today, it’s hard to believe that in 1955 only ten percent of Americans had working dryers in their home. Let's learn more! Searching for reliable Speed Queen dealers NC companies? Call T & L today for huge savings!
More History About Clothes Drying
You might be wondering why very few people benefited from dryers in the mid-19th century. The reasons lie mostly with cost. Would you believe that a new dryer in the 1950s costs $230? That's the equivalent of $1,600 in today's time. Now, you can purchase a dryer for around $340 on average.
However, despite the small number of people who did have dryers, in the 1940s, more homes had dryers than ever before. Especially during World War II, these machines really began to gain popularity. Hamilton Manufacturing, GE and Whirlpool began selling upwards of 50,000 units and more each year. The dryers sold were both gas and electric.
In 1955, a dryer was marketed by Whirlpool that claimed to dry in half the time. It was a gas unit that had increased airflow and gas output. After that, things advanced quickly into what we know today.
Advancements Through the Years
Below, you’ll find a quick look at the most exciting advancements made throughout the years for dryers and their capabilities.
- 1946 – A timer was added to the dryer. In addition, an exhaust was also added to keep air from being too dry. The controls were moved from the back of the dryer to the front and a cool-down cycle was also added.
- 1958 – A system that is still used in dryers today was featured on the new 30 inch wide machine. It offered a negative pressure system.
- 1959 – A sensor was added to shut the dryer’s power off when the load of clothing was dry.
- 1965 – Permanent press was introduced.
- 1972 – Gas dryers were manufactured with electric starters.
- 1974 – Drying cycles were timed due to the addition of microelectronic controls.
- 1983 – Delayed start timers were added to help with off-peak hours and energy savings.
- 1985 – Dryers began featuring Spanish instructions on consoles, manuals and labels. Some dryers offered large type, oversized controls and large graphics as well.
Learning about the history of the dryer is something that one rarely thinks about, but once you begin reading, it's quite fascinating! If you're interested in reading about the history of the washing machine, be sure to check back with our previous blog posts!
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