Before television, how did consumers see products in action? Mainly through demonstrations and showrooms such as this Upton portable display room. By 1916, potential consumers could find Upton washers in the pages of the trusted Sears, Roebuck and Co. catalog. Sealed with a handshake, Upton’s partnership with the mail-order giant was a monumental step forward for the company and resulted in a decadeslong relationship. The average cost of an Upton washing machine in 1920 was $54.75, about a month’s salary, or $95 for a deluxe model.