Dead Wringer

They were bulky and loud and could squeeze unwary fingers, but millions of Americans relied on them for clean socks, shirts and underwear all the same. Since 1909, Maytag (1982 sales: $440.8 million) has turned out nearly 12 million wringer washers from its plant on the edge of downtown Newton, Iowa. But automatic washers and dryers have drained away much of the business for wringers, and Maytag will stop making them by the end of the year. "We're experiencing a great sense of loss here," laments a company executive. "The wringer was our only product for 42 years."

Maytag, a leading maker of home appliances, dubbed its first wringer "the hired girl" and cranked out some 2,000 machines a day during the peak production year of 1948. Workers put in 60-hour weeks to fill the demand for washers that cleaned the diapers for the baby boom. Now output is down to several dozen a day.

Those few wringers, however, have been finding some buyers. The machines use little water and can be handy in places where water or plumbing is in short supply. Maytag sold 2,000 wringers to Saudi Arabia just five years ago. Consumers will be able to buy new wringers even after Maytag drops its line. The Chicago-based Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers says two other companies will still make wringers.