National Washboard co. Atlantic no. 510

Jan 25
2 min read

Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research, or approved placement.

Atlantic No. 510 Glass Washboard

Date late 1940s–early 1950s

United States; Wood and glass.

Dating & Attribution

This washboard is best dated to the late 1940s through early 1950s, based on branding, material choice, and manufacturing geography.

The board is clearly marked “Atlantic No. 510 – National Washboard Co. – Chicago / Memphis.” The National Washboard Company, founded in the late 19th century, was one of the largest and most influential washboard manufacturers in the United States. By the mid-20th century, the company operated facilities in Chicago and Memphis, reflecting the postwar shift toward regional manufacturing hubs and national distribution networks.

The use of a glass wash surface is a key dating indicator. Glass washboards became widespread in the early-to-mid 20th century as an improvement over metal and wood. By the late 1940s, glass boards were marketed as:

More hygienic
Gentler on fabrics
Resistant to rust and corrosion

These qualities aligned closely with postwar domestic ideals of cleanliness, efficiency, and modern home management.

The bold printed branding and standardized model number (“No. 510”) further suggest a mid-century mass-production context, rather than earlier, more localized manufacturing.

Object Description

This washboard consists of a wooden frame housing a ribbed glass washing surface, designed for manual laundering of clothing. The glass panel is securely set into the frame, with evenly spaced ridges that create friction while minimizing fabric damage.

The upper crosspiece bears the original stamped and painted branding:

ATLANTIC – No. 510 – National Washboard Co. – Chicago / Memphis

The survival of this branding in legible condition adds significantly to the object’s interpretive and archival value.

The Evolution of the Washboard

The washboard underwent a long and gradual evolution that mirrors broader changes in domestic labor:

Early 19th century: Plain wooden boards
Late 19th century: Wooden frames with corrugated metal inserts
Early 20th century: Zinc and galvanized steel surfaces
Mid-20th century: Glass washboards, like this example

Glass represented the final refinement of hand-laundry technology. These boards were introduced at the precise moment when mechanized washing machines were becoming more common, but not yet universal.

As a result, glass washboards often functioned as:

Primary tools in homes without electric appliances
Supplemental tools for delicates or work clothes
Transitional objects bridging hand labor and mechanized domestic life

Historical & Cultural Context

By the late 1940s and early 1950s, household labor in the United States was undergoing rapid transformation. Washing machines were increasingly advertised as symbols of progress, yet many households, particularly working-class and rural families, continued to rely on manual tools.

This washboard represents a hybrid moment:

Traditional hand labor, refined by industrial materials
Domestic work still largely performed by women
A culture balancing modernity with practicality

Its manufacture by the National Washboard Company reflects how long-established firms adapted to changing domestic expectations, improving existing tools even as their relevance slowly declined.