High Speed Wizard Washing Machine

Object/Artifact

-

The Great Bend Museum

Name/Title

High Speed Wizard Washing Machine

Entry/Object ID

1983.05.02

Description

Barrel shaped tub with iron flywheel and wooden handle, crank attached, stand is dark wood. sears roebuck sold them starting as early as 1910, possibly before "The formal history of the washing machine has apparently not been written but the catalogues of Sears, Roebuck and Company give ample testimony of the great progress. As early as 1896 primitive hand-operated machines were available (at $2.50), but it was almost a decade before the crank-driven 'High Speed Wizard' appeared and became a favorite. It was listed in the catalogue for more than two decades...In 1910 the price was $7.15; in 1920, $17.45; and in 1930, $15.95; apparently without significant changes in construction." from "Factors Affecting the Income of Servants," by George Stigler. http://www.nber.org/chapters/c2736

Acquisition

Accession

1983.05

Source or Donor

Ada Ruth Sayre, Frank Sayre

Lexicon

Legacy Lexicon

Object Name

Washer, Clothes