The washing machine was invented by Hamilton Smith. In 1858, an American named Hamilton Smith built the world's first washing machine in Pittsburgh. The main component of the washing machine was a barrel with a straight shaft with paddle-shaped leaves inside. It is rotated by shaking the crank connected to it.
In the same year, Smith obtained the patent for this washing machine. However, this washing machine was laborious to use and damaged clothes, so it was not widely used, but it marked the beginning of machine laundry.
Extended information
History of the development of washing machines:
After the first washing machine was invented, wooden hand-crank washing machines, water-powered washing machines, and internal combustion engine washing machines also appeared one after another. However, these washing machines could not become popular due to various reasons until the advent of generators.
In 1911, the world's first electric washing machine was born, which was made by American Alge Fisher in Chicago. It is powered by a small generator and uses a rotating vat in which clothes and soap are placed for cleaning.
In the 1920s, electricity was widely used in Western countries. In 1922, Howard Snyder of the United States reformed the washing structure of washing machines. Change the drag type to the stirring type to allow the water flow to strongly collide and rub with the clothes, thereby achieving the purpose of washing clothes.
In 1928, Siemens of Germany launched the first drum-type washing machine.
The first automatic washing machine came out in 1937. This is a front load automatic washing machine. The cylinder, driven by a horizontal axis, can hold 4,000 grams of clothing. The clothes are constantly rolled up and down in a tank filled with water to remove dirt and scale. In the 1940s, modern top-loading automatic washing machines appeared.
With the acceleration of industrialization, the United Kingdom developed and launched a jet-type washing machine. It relies on the strong vortex generated by the running impeller on one side of the cylinder to cause the clothes and washing liquid to flow together in the cylinder. Keep tumbling and washing the clothes.
In 1955, based on the introduction of the British jet washing machine, Japan developed a unique style pulsator washing machine that is still popular today. At this point, the situation of three-thirds of the world in the field of washing machine production has been initially formed.
In Japan in the 1960s, a double-tub washing machine with a dry barrel appeared, which was called a "semi-automatic washing machine."
In the 1970s, the pulsator-type barrel fully automatic washing machine was produced.
In the late 1970s, fully automatic washing machines controlled by computers (actually microprocessors) were launched in Japan, ushering in a new stage in the history of washing machine development.
In the 1980s, the application of "fuzzy control" made washing machines easier to operate, more complete in function, more convenient in washing procedures, and more fashionable in appearance.
In the 1990s, due to the improvement of motor speed control technology, washing machines realized a wide range of speed conversion and adjustment, and many new water-flow washing machines were born.
Since then, with the development and improvement of motor drive technology, Japan has produced a direct-drive washing machine, eliminating the need for gear transmission and speed change mechanisms, triggering a huge revolution in the way washing machines are driven. Later, with the further development of technology, drum washing machines have become a product that everyone is familiar with.
Achievements in domestic washing machines:
China's washing machine industry started late. It did not officially produce household washing machines until 1978. However, my country's annual washing machine output currently accounts for about a quarter of the world's annual output. one, ranking first in the world. In addition to satisfying the domestic market in terms of quantity and variety, it is also exported to North America, Europe, Southeast Asia and other places, becoming a competitive player in the international washing machine market.
Reference source Baidu Encyclopedia-Washing Machine