Historical information

Before the invention of spin driers around the 1950's most households had a mangle. A mangle or wringer is a mechanical laundry aid. This one is powered by a hand crank and used to wring water from wet laundry and seems to be a commercial one.
This mangle is from the Orbost Club Hotel. It was used in the Club Hotel and later by Bronwen Di Bari in her art workshop.

Significance

This item was used by the Orbost Club Hotel, the first hotel in the Orbost district.It was built in 1884 by Mr J.A. Petterson with the licence in the name of Mr Thomas Maguire, Mr Petterson's step-son (more information in Deborak Hall's In Times Gone By).

Physical description

A large commercial wooden and cast iron laundry mangle. It has two wooden trays and two wooden rollers. It was originally painted green. There are four metal casters on the bottom. It has a metal spring to adjust the tension with two tap handles.

Inscriptions & markings

On side - EWBANK On turning wheel - 511 On wood at top - 24 X 5 1/4 (size of rollers)
EMERALD