but with no great success. North Dakotan J. Ross Moore invented the automatic clothes dryer after experiencing the harsh reality of outdoor winter clotheslines. In 1938, Hamilton Manufacturing manufactured his design. While Americans certainly aspired to have this appliance, it cost roughly $2,000 in today’s money so it stayed firmly out of many people’s grasp. Popularity and sales grew through the 1950’s, although only 10% of homes had a dryer. The annual sale of dryers averaged $120 million in today’s money. In 2014, the dryer industry average was $4 billion. An industrial designer by the name of Brooks Stevens – who also designed the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile, the Miller Brewing label, and the classic Harley Davidson profile - put a circular window in the dryer to drive sales, instructing managers at department stores to put a colorful pair of boxers into the machine
during the demonstration, so that consumers could see the dryer in action. American homeowners consider dryers to be a necessity, like a refrigerator or air conditioning. The cost of the appliance has lowered to the point most Americans can afford them. The convenience they offer is a huge advantage as well, with the average American working 46.7 hours a week. Other than the Northeast region, US consumers prefer electric dryers. However, gas dryers can cost up to 75% less to operate. Of the nation’s approximately 90 million households that have dryers, only 17.5 have a gas model. Part of this is the initial cost of a gas dryer compared to an electric dryer. The American dryer lags behind washers in terms of technology.
They are still not very energy efficient or particularly good at drying clothes in the same way washers have become very efficient and very good at washing clothes with many cycle options. One report states: Washers use 75 percent less energy and 40 percent less water than they did in 1981. In the same period, though, the amount of energy that dryers use has only dropped slightly. Part of the lag is regulations on the industry; part is the lack of consumer care. Consumers are not marketed dryers like they are washers. Other countries have far more technologically advanced dryers. Japan, for instance, produces very popular microwave technology dryers. Other options include solar dryers and vent-less (compression or heat pump).
February/March 2016
15 S W E E P I N G