Developement

Continuously setting new standards

Gütersloh. - Laundry care has been a domestic chore since time immemorial. Perhaps this fact was in the back of the minds of Carl Miele and Reinhard Miele when they set about taking the elbow grease out of laundry care more than 100 years ago. Since then, numerous innovations have been inextricably linked to the history of the washing machine at Miele. The age of the fully automatic washing machine, though, only dawned as recently as 1958 and since then Miele has produced precisely 20 million units.

Miele's first foray into the world of laundry care came shortly after the company was founded. This first model, launched in 1900, bore great affinity to a butter churn. However, instead of churning cream into butter, the central agitator jostled laundry in soapy water. The agitator in the washing machine rotated in both directions and was equipped with a flyweight to perpetuate motion. The first models were manually powered, but in 1904, electric motors were introduced, initially in combination with a belt drive system. By 1914 the motor had been internalised into the product. Nevertheless, manual drive systems continued to be perfected as electricity was by no means available in all homes. Within just a few years, Miele's range of washing machine models had grown impressively, consisting of 50 variations on 20 basic models by 1913.

In the mid-Twenties, Miele washing machines experienced a quantum leap in their development when the first coal- and gas-fired drum washers for commercial use were built. In this case, an electrically driven drum replaced the prior art involving the vertical vat-and-agitator design. The drum washing machine had a larger load capacity, and water could be heated or even brought to the boil in the machine. Gone for ever were the days when hot water had to be bucketed into the tub!

1930 saw the advent of the first domestic models with an all-metal drum, opening up the way for electric heating. From 1938 onwards, the metal casing was enamelled. In the Fifties, washing machines first began to be installed in kitchens, with considerable impact on machine technology and design. The age of the fully automatic washing machine at Miele was finally heralded in by the 'Automatic 505'. From then on, there was no more need to transfer laundry to a separate appliance for spinning.

In 1962, Miele presented its first washing machine with single-knob controls. Once selected, the machine's electrical controls determined wash times, mechanical action, water levels, temperatures, rinse cycles and spin speeds. This innovation served to consolidate Miele's position as market leader. The age of solid-state controls began in earnest in the Seventies when microprocessors were first used in washing machines. This revolution was first presented to the public at Domotechnica in 1978. By this time, Miele was already cashing in on its technological lead with a specialist department devoted to electronic controls at its Gütersloh headquarters.

Since then, electronic controls have been the heart and soul of every Miele washing machine, contributing towards perfecting laundry care. Today's washing machines can now cope with all manner of fabrics – even expensive woollens and delicate silks. Electronic controls are also an empowering factor in optimising the use of detergent, water and electricity and, in doing so, make a huge contribution to the environment. The proverbial durability of Miele appliances is, in itself, a major contributing factor. And to ensure that washing machine controls always incorporate the latest programmes and parameters, more recent appliances feature Miele's electronic Update function.

To mark this special event, Miele has launched a range of campaign models under the title Gala Grande. Alongside the W 4000 series, models from the classic W 3000 range are also available together with matching special-edition tumble dryers from the T 9000 and T 8000 series. The washing machines in this range have a higher spin speed than entry-line models and therefore achieve improved dewatering. The matching tumble dryers are available as either condenser or vented dryers. The campaign is planned to run from April to December 2007.