Alva Fisher Biography

Alva Fisher was an American born in Chicago. He was born in the late 1800’s. His father was a businessman and was a proprietor of a dry goods business. The mother of Alva Fisher provided assistance in the store and was in charge of the house. Some of the jobs associated with being in charge of the house included household chores. Household chores included, but not limited to cleaning the house, washing clothes and cooking. Upon completing high school, Alva was not sure what he wanted to pursue. Initially, Alva assisted in helping to run his father’s business. However, running his father’s was not his desired occupation. Alva’s mother recommended Fisher to assist her in running the house. After a long time of self reflection, Alva decided to …show more content…
In wealthy families, laundry was usually the task of servants. Without running water, women often had to pump water from a well and carry the water back home. Sometimes, women would have to take up to eight trips to and from the water source to obtain enough water for a week’s worth of laundry. (clothes, online) Next, the water would have to be heated so that the dirt from the clothes would come off. If the garment had grease stain on it, the woman would have to treat the garment with lye, which is also known as the chemical sodium hydroxide. (Ng, online) After the treatment with lye, the garment beaten. This is typically done by stomping on the article of clothing with bare feet. (Haven, online)Then began the long process of scrubbing and rinsing the clothes by hand and extracting the water from the garments. It usually took approximately eight hours for the laundry to be complete. Most women dreaded this long process of washing …show more content…
King’s invention has a similar resemblance to our modern washing machines, but the only difference was that his invention was powered by hand instead of electricity. (The History, online) In 1858, Hamilton Smith patented the rotary machine. Similar to the drum washing washing machine, Smith’s invention was also powered by hand. The rotary machine was the first to combine a washing machine with a wringing device. (The Evolution, online)
In 1910, Alva J. Fisher was awarded a patent for the first electric washing machine. Fisher used an electrical motor in a drum based machine for the first electric washing machine. Fisher named the new electrical washing machine “The Mighty Thor” electric washing machine for the company by the mane of Hudley Machine Corporation. In 1907, most homes were not wired with electricity, so many washing machines were advertised that if the power source didn’t work, the machine could also be powered by hand. (Washing Machine,