The World War II war effort will forever be a part of the automatic washer’s legacy. Nineteen Hundred Corp. had to obtain the War Production Board’s approval to secure materials for a first run of test machines. One of the first models was installed at a Coast Guard Station, where the spinner-type automatic washer cleaned uniforms around the clock, proving its reliability and efficacy. While the automatic washer took 10 years to develop and produce, the behind-the-scenes investment in innovation was worth it. The appliance was a wild success just in time for the post-war spending boom.