'Thor' electric washing machine with wringer and ironing attachments, c 1929

Thor' electric washing machine with wringer and ironing attachments, c 1929. These washing machines, made by the Hurley Machine Co of Chicago, were among the earliest to be mechanised. The first washing machines were all 'tumbler' washers, where the clothes were turned over and over in a tub. In 1927 the 'agitator' washer was introduced where the tub remained still and the electrically worked dolly was reintroduced, the Thor washing machine is one of these. Only a small number of electric washing machines were in use at this time, as they were very expensive. Front view. ©SSPL/Science Museum