Greasy Gears and Clean Clothes

A Locomotive 9, Brantford Washing Machine Company Ltd., Brantford, Ontario, c. 1924 (920120). Attachments transformed its use from washing machine to power workbench, kitchen table and ironing board.

A thick layer of grease lubricated open gears and protected them from wash water in early electric washing machines. But, grease-covered surfaces existed uncomfortably alongside clean laundry. The introduction of enclosed gears with lubrication provided by drip oilers and grease cups helped reconcile the unhappy marriage. In time, these were replaced by sealed drives and gear cases within which gears ran in an oil bath. The Brantford Washing Machine Company, for example, developed an oscillating-type machine driven by an enclosed shaft and gear system (920120).

This cut-away diagram shows the figure-eight wash action of the Locomotive, 1925 (HSKP B8217 3001). Note that two fairies appear to be helping the wash water slosh.

The motor and washer gearing mechanism of the "Locomotive" model were mounted below the tub, out of harm's way. In this variation of the rocking type machine, the tub moved from side to side along a track to slosh wash water through the clothes rather than tipping it end to end.