The Hills Hoist is an Australian version of the rotary clothes line, the distinguishing feature of which is a crown and pinion winding mechanism allowing the clothesline to be lowered and raised. The hoist mechanism was devised by Adelaide inventor Lance Hill in 1945 and remains a common backyard sight in Australia and New Zealand. It is considered one of Australia's most recognisable icons, and is used frequently by artists as a metaphor for Australian suburbia in the 1950s and '60s
The rotary clothes line itself had been invented as early as 1855 with diagrams published in Scientific American that year. An American hoist, holder of US patent 434921 of 26 August 1890, is the earliest known patent for a 'rotary clothes line'. A slightly different looking model was offered for sale in America by an American firm, the Hill Dryer Company, and was also advertised for sale in 1914. Despite its similar name, this American company had no connection with the Australian Hills company.
The Adelaide ironfounders and blacksmiths company A. C. Harley also advertised an 'Improved Rotary and Tilting Clothes Drying Rack' in the Sun Foundry Illustrated Catalogue in 1914. A few years later Gilbert Toyne of Geelong was manufacturing 'Toyne's All Metal Rotary Clothes Hoist'
An early model found in the National Museum
Lance Hill created the Hills Hoist in his backyard in 1945, after returning from World War II. His wife apparently wanted an inexpensive replacement to the line and prop she had for drying clothes.
Hill developed a crown and pinion mechanism attached to the traditional rotary clothesline, and sought a patent for his design. His brother-in-law Harold Ling assisted in starting Hills Industries to market the Hoist. Ling had returned from the war and could not re-adapt to his old job and approached Hill to see if he had work available. Ling and Hill became partners in 1946. Alf Hill, who was Lance Hill's father, provided the start up capital for the business. Production began, in 1946,at a Blacksmith's facility on Glen Osmond Road not far from the Hills' Bevington road home.
Hill's initial patent application lapsed but a second application for the crown and pinion winding mechanism was awarded in 1956.
Key benefits of a Hills Hoist over the old rotary design include the opportunity to raise or lower the height and in some cases fold up and remove the entire structure when required. The crown and pinion mechanism also provided greater load-bearing capacity, enabling the drying of a greater volume of washing.
The rotary clothes line itself had been invented as early as 1855 with diagrams published in Scientific American that year. An American hoist, holder of US patent 434921 of 26 August 1890, is the earliest known patent for a 'rotary clothes line'. A slightly different looking model was offered for sale in America by an American firm, the Hill Dryer Company, and was also advertised for sale in 1914. Despite its similar name, this American company had no connection with the Australian Hills company.
The Adelaide ironfounders and blacksmiths company A. C. Harley also advertised an 'Improved Rotary and Tilting Clothes Drying Rack' in the Sun Foundry Illustrated Catalogue in 1914. A few years later Gilbert Toyne of Geelong was manufacturing 'Toyne's All Metal Rotary Clothes Hoist'
An early model found in the National Museum
Lance Hill created the Hills Hoist in his backyard in 1945, after returning from World War II. His wife apparently wanted an inexpensive replacement to the line and prop she had for drying clothes.
Hill developed a crown and pinion mechanism attached to the traditional rotary clothesline, and sought a patent for his design. His brother-in-law Harold Ling assisted in starting Hills Industries to market the Hoist. Ling had returned from the war and could not re-adapt to his old job and approached Hill to see if he had work available. Ling and Hill became partners in 1946. Alf Hill, who was Lance Hill's father, provided the start up capital for the business. Production began, in 1946,at a Blacksmith's facility on Glen Osmond Road not far from the Hills' Bevington road home.
Hill's initial patent application lapsed but a second application for the crown and pinion winding mechanism was awarded in 1956.
Key benefits of a Hills Hoist over the old rotary design include the opportunity to raise or lower the height and in some cases fold up and remove the entire structure when required. The crown and pinion mechanism also provided greater load-bearing capacity, enabling the drying of a greater volume of washing.
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