History of Sunshine Clothesline Drier Starting in 1913

The Sunshine Clothesline, an innovative drying solution, was the brainchild of Joseph Clay, the owner of Iowa Gate. His ingenuity led to the granting of patent number 1,163,639 on December 14, 1915, officially recognizing his invention. The manufacturing of this "Sunshine Drier," as it was known, was undertaken by Iowa Gate itself, a fact substantiated by surviving examples of their company letterhead from that period. This historical detail highlights the company's role not just in the invention, but also in bringing Clay's patented design to market.

As I am told the story of how the Sunshine Clothes Dryer originated; Joseph Clay always shoveled the snow from underneath his wife’s outdoor clothesline each time it snowed. This of course was not a task he liked. After one unusually deep snow he decided that job could be made easier. Very soon after that snow storm he invented the Sunshine Clothes Dryer, the first umbrella style rotating clothesline. Joseph B. Clay was granted a US patent in December 14, 1915, number 1,163,639. Snow removal under the clothesline became a tolerable task for Joseph Clay.       

This story and many pictures are courtesy of the Cedar Falls Historical Society, and from Roger Clay, Joseph's son.                                               

Below are very early advertisements for the Sunshine Clothes Dryer, from this and other historical findings we have determined the Sunshine Clothes Drier was developed in circa 1913 and patented in December 14, 1915 US Patent number 1,163,639. Copies of the US patent are also shown on the Patent Page.