Car in Christchurch attacked by mad swirling things!
March 4th 2007 03:50
Hi Everyone
One of those days today, so I thought I would pass on these shock horror pics of the terror.
I guess by now you have realised that I was actually in a car wash, but as I was sitting there I wondered if anyone had taken photos before whilst in a car wash? Then I thought, well there could be some people out there who has never seen one or been in one before, so now they know what it is like lol.
Anyway, did a bit of trawling on the net and there is quite a bit of history behing them.
History of the Car Wash.
The first concept of an assembly-line vehicle wash system was developed in the Detroit area in 1914. It was called "The Automobile Laundry" and used manpower to push vehicles from one wash station to the next in a circular fashion. By 1928, a drive-through type tunnel with a man-powered chain conveyor moved the automobiles through the car wash, and car wash automation was born.
By the mid-1940s, there were approximately 32 drive-through car washes nationwide. In 1946, a semiautomatic car wash system was developed with a conveyor belt that hooked to the bumper of automobiles. It had an overhead water sprinkler with three sets of manually operated brushes and a 50 HP air blower to help dry the car. All of these elements would become an important part of the car wash industry in the future.
In 1955, while on vacation in Mexico, Dan Hanna, Sr., stayed in a motel located across the street from a car wash. The mechanically-minded Hanna became very interested. He studied the car wash's operation and visited extensively with the owner/operator. He returned to his home town of Portland, Oregon, and with money his mother obtained by mortgaging their home, Hanna opened his first Rub-A-Dub car wash in Milwaukie, Oregon. This led to the creation of Hanna Enterprises. Two years later, he opened his second wash and ultimately had 31 successful Rub-A-Dub car washes operating in the Portland area. As his business grew, Hanna recognized the need for faster and more efficient car wash equipment ... so he invented it.
In 1959, Hanna tinkered with and tested his wash rack until he had a working model of the first mechanized car washing system. Word spread about Hanna's machine, and he began to put them in other people's car washes.
By the mid-1960s, Hanna Enterprises had clearly established itself as the premier innovator and manufacturer of car wash equipment. Hanna made and patented several inventions that revolutionized the car wash industry, including Wraparound Brush, Roller-On-Demand Conveyor, Soft Cloth Friction Wash, Triple Approach to Tire Washing, and Recirculating Water System. As a result, Hanna Enterprises became the world's largest conveyorized vehicle wash equipment manufacturer.
Hanna launched an aggressive marketing campaign in 1966 to expand its international business and installed its first international car wash in Japan in 1967.
In 1968, Hanna Enterprises became Hanna Industries and began an extensive acquisition effort acquiring Lark, Reuter Sons Manufacturing and Flaming Equipment Company. In addition, Hanna expanded its distribution capabilities in a contract with Country Club Carwash, Inc.
As with many industries, the 1970s were difficult times for the car washing business. The U.S. recession had a devastating affect on the vehicle wash industry as the price of gasoline increased rapidly. Shrinking profits for car wash operators slowed production and development of the industry.
Hanna Industries made two important inventions in 1975 -- the automatic wheel cleaner and a polish 'n wax application. These innovations made it possible for many car wash operations with Hanna equipment to stay in business because they had a "competitive edge" with services their competitors did not have.
By the early 1980s, the U.S. economy had rebounded with strong sustained growth in all sectors. The car wash industry recovered from the recession and car wash development was at an all time high. The automobile industry was having record sales, and in 1985 there were reportedly 162 million cars in the U.S.
As the numbers of cars and car washes grew exponentially in the 1980s, Hanna Industries again brought innovations to the market. Recognizing the need for consistent car wash quality, Hanna began franchising. In 1981, Entrepreneur's magazine named Hanna the #2 franchiser in the world (just behind McDonald's) and in 1982 named Hanna #1. Hanna's success continued throughout the 1980s with the creation of more vehicle wash and marketing innovations.
By 1988, Hanna Industries was servicing more than 18,000 vehicle washes in 56 countries. Annual sales reached in excess of $30 million. In 1989, Hanna ranked #1 worldwide for installed conveyorized car washes.
So there you have it, pretty short history of car wash development, amazing what you learn from an idea, which started out as a spoof news report .
Hal
One of those days today, so I thought I would pass on these shock horror pics of the terror.
Sneak attack out of the sun
I guess by now you have realised that I was actually in a car wash, but as I was sitting there I wondered if anyone had taken photos before whilst in a car wash? Then I thought, well there could be some people out there who has never seen one or been in one before, so now they know what it is like lol.
Anyway, did a bit of trawling on the net and there is quite a bit of history behing them.
History of the Car Wash.
The first concept of an assembly-line vehicle wash system was developed in the Detroit area in 1914. It was called "The Automobile Laundry" and used manpower to push vehicles from one wash station to the next in a circular fashion. By 1928, a drive-through type tunnel with a man-powered chain conveyor moved the automobiles through the car wash, and car wash automation was born.
By the mid-1940s, there were approximately 32 drive-through car washes nationwide. In 1946, a semiautomatic car wash system was developed with a conveyor belt that hooked to the bumper of automobiles. It had an overhead water sprinkler with three sets of manually operated brushes and a 50 HP air blower to help dry the car. All of these elements would become an important part of the car wash industry in the future.
In 1955, while on vacation in Mexico, Dan Hanna, Sr., stayed in a motel located across the street from a car wash. The mechanically-minded Hanna became very interested. He studied the car wash's operation and visited extensively with the owner/operator. He returned to his home town of Portland, Oregon, and with money his mother obtained by mortgaging their home, Hanna opened his first Rub-A-Dub car wash in Milwaukie, Oregon. This led to the creation of Hanna Enterprises. Two years later, he opened his second wash and ultimately had 31 successful Rub-A-Dub car washes operating in the Portland area. As his business grew, Hanna recognized the need for faster and more efficient car wash equipment ... so he invented it.
In 1959, Hanna tinkered with and tested his wash rack until he had a working model of the first mechanized car washing system. Word spread about Hanna's machine, and he began to put them in other people's car washes.
By the mid-1960s, Hanna Enterprises had clearly established itself as the premier innovator and manufacturer of car wash equipment. Hanna made and patented several inventions that revolutionized the car wash industry, including Wraparound Brush, Roller-On-Demand Conveyor, Soft Cloth Friction Wash, Triple Approach to Tire Washing, and Recirculating Water System. As a result, Hanna Enterprises became the world's largest conveyorized vehicle wash equipment manufacturer.
Hanna launched an aggressive marketing campaign in 1966 to expand its international business and installed its first international car wash in Japan in 1967.
In 1968, Hanna Enterprises became Hanna Industries and began an extensive acquisition effort acquiring Lark, Reuter Sons Manufacturing and Flaming Equipment Company. In addition, Hanna expanded its distribution capabilities in a contract with Country Club Carwash, Inc.
As with many industries, the 1970s were difficult times for the car washing business. The U.S. recession had a devastating affect on the vehicle wash industry as the price of gasoline increased rapidly. Shrinking profits for car wash operators slowed production and development of the industry.
Hanna Industries made two important inventions in 1975 -- the automatic wheel cleaner and a polish 'n wax application. These innovations made it possible for many car wash operations with Hanna equipment to stay in business because they had a "competitive edge" with services their competitors did not have.
By the early 1980s, the U.S. economy had rebounded with strong sustained growth in all sectors. The car wash industry recovered from the recession and car wash development was at an all time high. The automobile industry was having record sales, and in 1985 there were reportedly 162 million cars in the U.S.
As the numbers of cars and car washes grew exponentially in the 1980s, Hanna Industries again brought innovations to the market. Recognizing the need for consistent car wash quality, Hanna began franchising. In 1981, Entrepreneur's magazine named Hanna the #2 franchiser in the world (just behind McDonald's) and in 1982 named Hanna #1. Hanna's success continued throughout the 1980s with the creation of more vehicle wash and marketing innovations.
By 1988, Hanna Industries was servicing more than 18,000 vehicle washes in 56 countries. Annual sales reached in excess of $30 million. In 1989, Hanna ranked #1 worldwide for installed conveyorized car washes.
So there you have it, pretty short history of car wash development, amazing what you learn from an idea, which started out as a spoof news report .
Hal
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