For some people, laundry may not be the most fun activity, but this home appliance’s history is fascinating. The first washing machines reported were invented in the 1850s. However, people back then have been doing laundry since they quit wearing fig leaves. Throughout the centuries, washing clothes technology has developed from rough physical labor to advanced technology.
Laundry in the Ancient Times
In ancient times, our ancestors cleaned their garments by smashing them on the top of rocks or brushing them with specific kinds of sands in rivers or streams. The ancient Romans invented a crude lye-like soap made of fat and ash from animals. During the colonial era, the most popular way of washing garments was to put them in a large cauldron with boiled water. Then, they put them on a flat board and pounding them with a paddle.
The metal washboard was not invented until around 1833. Before discovering metal washboards, this washing tool was entirely made of wood, including its uneven surface. Laundry was widely considered a communal ritual until the Civil War, particularly in places located next to springs and rivers.