The 8008 694

BTDTGTTS, that was all plumbed in on most houses when I was a kid. Single storey extension at rear of house, cast concrete roof, 2-400 gallon rainwater tank on roof, piped down to a third tap over the kitchen sink, and to the room below, which housed the dolly tub and mangle. Hand carry kettles full of hot water from the range in the kitchen. Usually also piped as flush water to the outside lav next to the laundry room.

On wash-day (always Monday) I fetched the hot water, and turned the mangle. If good drying weather, the mangle wasn't used, rather the wash was queued to drip dry in a wicker basket, and await the availability of a free slot on the washing line.

Eventually, dad bought mum a washing machine, early 1950's, very much against his better judgement as an electrical engineer. He was most unhappy at the thought of mum on a wet floor putting one wet hand on the (solidly earthed) tap and the other hand into a contraption full of water, connected to the 240V mains. Just one break in the carcase earth bond connexion of the mains lead... He ran extra bonding just to be sure. Can't say that I'm happy using them, I've two 30mA residual current breakers in series with the mains: when they trip, time to replace the heater coil - every two years or so.

Regards,

David P.