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Few American innovations impact our
daily lives like the 1907 invention of the
Thor Clothes Washer. Widely hailed as one of
the |
| top ten inventions of the last century, Thor washers quickly became a staple in American households, thus establishing the Thor brand as a symbol of quality and innovation. Like many new products of its time, the Thor Washer made life easier by taking much of the labor out of a once arduous task. A machine could now handle the washing duties, freeing up many hours that before were spent scrubbing laundry.
Many improvements have been made since the invention of the first Thor machine. The clothes wringer featured in the original Thor has been replaced by a high-speed spin cycle, and automatic dryers have made clotheslines all but obsolete. But the Thor commitment to value and innovation continues to this day. |
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The original Thor, seen here in a 1909 advertisement, took much of the labor out of washing clothes |
Thor's innovative Automagic washer, introduced in the 1950s, cleaned both laundry and dishes. |
Today, Los Angeles-based Thor Appliances is again changing the face of laundry with its unique line of ventless washer/dryers. While this selection of Thor laundry machines may never grace the floor of the Smithsonian, it should make life just a little easier. And that's what innovation has always been about. |
