In 1851 an American named James King patented WKHÀUVWGUXPZDVKLQJPDFKLQH.LQJ·VPDFKLQHZDVDQ improvement over hand-scrubbing with a washboard but was still hand-powered. Many other styles of washing machines were invented throughout the 19th FHQWXU\,QWKHÀUVWZDVKHUZLWKDQHOHFWULFPRWRU was introduced by the Hurley Machine Company of Chicago, Illinois (patent received 8/9/1910). This machine was called "Thor." The Arcade company of Freeport, Illinois was founded in 1885. This company made cast metal doll and dollhouse furnishings that closely mirrored the popular pieces made for human households, which led to their slogan "They Look Real." Their version of the Thor washer was made in a variety of sizes along with other laundry room necessities such as ironing machines, laundry sinks, boilers, and heaters. The Kilgore Manufacturing Company of Westerville, OH began making similar products in 1928.http://ufdc.org