1950's · Newton, Iowa
by Dykes, Downer P.
Newton, Iowa, 1950's. This interesting collection represents the large part electrical appliances had on the American consumers during the post W.W.II era. The Maytag brand, originated in 1893 by Frederick Louis Maytag and three partners, initially produces farm equipment such as threshing machines. When the brand began producing gasoline powered washing machines for rural areas that had no access to electricity, the business grew. During W.W.II the company focused on designing and building parts for the war effort. After the war, the rapid expanse of suburban living made the electric powered washing machine something everyone wanted. The designer and inventor, Downer P. Dykes was a young man just starting out in the appliance industry when he helped design the "Fabric Treatment Machine" for Maytag. He would go on to develop the first crock pot with removable crockery liners and receive a patent for the Rival Electric Can Opener. Later, Dykes would teach industrial design at Kansas University.
Collection includes: 20 large blue print drawings, 15 medium size drawings, 24 small drawings, 6 illustrations on black paper, 5 issues of the Maytag Bulletin Newspaper - published for Employees, 1 Maytag office memorandum inviting Dykes to a luncheon with Fred Maytag II, 2 typed letters containing the Specification of Decorative Finishes, and 2 Contracts/Disclosure of Invention (signed) for the "Cabinet Design For a Fabric Treatment Machine". (Inventory #: 4175)
Collection includes: 20 large blue print drawings, 15 medium size drawings, 24 small drawings, 6 illustrations on black paper, 5 issues of the Maytag Bulletin Newspaper - published for Employees, 1 Maytag office memorandum inviting Dykes to a luncheon with Fred Maytag II, 2 typed letters containing the Specification of Decorative Finishes, and 2 Contracts/Disclosure of Invention (signed) for the "Cabinet Design For a Fabric Treatment Machine". (Inventory #: 4175)