Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Washboard |
Caption |
Maid-Rite wash board |
Description |
Maid-Rite washboard. Made by Columbus Washboard Co., Columbus, Ohio. Wood frame; galvanized metal rubbing surface with corrugated spiral texture. The history of the Columbus Washboard Company started in 1895 when Frederic Martin Sr. started building washboards in his backyard for resale. These washboards were handmade and had a limited market. It has been estimated that fewer than 1,000 washboards were produced and sold in any of the first 30 years of operations. The next big step was in 1925 when Frederic Martin Jr. purchased the assets of the Company from his father. The assets purchased were a few saws, a metal crimping machine, the patent and trade mark for the "Bear Easy" washboard and whatever goodwill there might be. Frederic Martin Jr. and his wife, Margaret Martin were involved in the business of the Columbus Washboard Company from the date of purchase in 1925 until their deaths in late 1987 and early 1988 respectively. From the start of the Columbus Washboard Company, until 1930, the only washboard produced and sold was the "Bear Easy" washboard. The rubbing surface for this washboard had been patented and the name trademarked in 1907. From 1931 to 1938, twenty-two other washboard names were introduced to the market place. Of these only five survived into the 1980's. These brands, which are all trademarked, are Dubl Handi, Maid-Rite Silver, Maid-Rite Brass, Sunnyland, and Crystal Cascade. The washboard business was a thriving industry at the turn of the century. During World War II the Columbus Washboard factory churned out more than a million washboards a year. But the invention of the automatic washing machine sent the washboard industry spiraling into decline. By the early 1970s only about 10 washboard companies operated in the US. All except the Columbus Washboard Company eventually closed their doors. |
Catalog Number |
1988-1458-001 |
Search Terms |
Washboards Columbus Washboard Company, Columbus, Ohio |
Subjects |
Washboards |