On this day in history, April 18, 1934, first self-operated 'washateria' opens in Fort Worth, Texas

Few people today would consider going to a laundromat a luxury. But before the first laundromat — or 'washateria,' as it was called back then — was created in the 1930s, that is exactly how the launch of automated laundry was viewed by many. On this day in history, April 18, 1934, the first 'washateria' opened in Fort Worth, Texas, it is presumed, as created by a man named C.A. Tannahill.

And 'he charged people by the hour to clean their clothes,' the story goes. These very early laundromats did not have dryers, for the most part — so customers would wash their clothes, then cart the wet, heavy items 'back home to hang them on the line,' according to hammerapp.com, a laundry and dry cleaning service.

The market size of the laundromat industry in the U.S. declined 1.4% per year on average between 2018 and 2023, says IbisWorld. It also says that laundromat sales have struggled because of increased competition, rising utility costs and changing consumer habits. For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle.

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