
I’ve seen this little 60-cm high Hill’s Hoist clothes line in our basement storage area for years and always assumed it was a model which reps might have taken around to secure sales. Clearly, lugging a full-size clothes line around with you was out of the question and this is a perfect model of the famous clothes line which sprouted up in backyards across the nation. However, research in The Australian Women’s Weekly between 1956 and 1959 revealed ads for a Mini-Hoist, a toy version of the Hills Hoist rotary clothes line.
The Australian Women’s Weekly told its readers that the “Mini-Hoist” was
The practical gift for little girls. They will play for hours hanging out their “washing” just the same as Mother. Strongly constructed, it is an exact working miniature of the famous Hills Hoist and even includes the winding gear.
The ad went on to say that a full-size Hill’s Hoist was the ideal Christmas present for a mother. What’s more it advised that a canvas canopy could also be purchased to fit over the top of the clothes line providing “the perfect sunshade on summer days” for outside entertaining! Entertaining aside, the Hill’s Hoist was launched in 1946 in Adelaide, South Australia, and designed by Lance Hill. Hill didn’t invent the rotary clothes line. Gilbert Toyne patented ones in Australia between 1911 and 1946.
Either way, the rotary clothes line had four arms which rotated to give easy access to all areas of the line instead of having to walk up and down the long lines. The arms could be raised after the washing had been hung out keeping it clear of children and pets. The length of the wires’ outside perimeter was long enough for a double bed sheet. A full load of washing could catch the breeze and rotate, which increased its dying speed. It took up much less room than lines strung across the back yard from two posts and the lawn was no longer full of holes from the clothes props.
With the Victa lawnmower, the Hill’s clothes hoist is considered an Australian icon as almost every household would have owned both at one time. The development of the clothes line coincided with the Australian post-War housing boom as demand for homes on quarter-acre blocks in the suburbs escalated. The Hill’s Hoist also provided a generation of children born post-War with a rotary monkey bar or backyard merry-go-round.
By 1990 five million Hill’s Hoists had been made which by then were being marketed as the “world leader in environmentally friendly outdoor drying”. Clothes dried on a clothes line look and smell better, keep their shape, do not suffer from static cling, last longer than tumble drying, do not shrink and save money and electricity. By line drying washing an average family will save 300 kg of carbon dioxide from being emitted into the atmosphere each year.
Written by Margaret Simpson, Curator, Science and Industry, January 2014
I have one of these, just was wondering what it was used for, sales prop?
I take it no real value?
Cheers
Mark
Does anyone want to sell me a mini Hills hoist?
I have one for sale
still available?
I am looking to by my 2 year old daughter one. is it still available?
I was given one of these as a child and valued it very much. Was stolen from our yard when my children were young.
Would love to buy one.
Hi Sue, I have one for sale,are you still looking for one? Send us your email and I will send you some pics,thanx Leasa.
Hi sue are you still looking for a miniature hills hoist
Price please?
Is this item sold looking to buy for my granddaughter
hi i have a hills mini hoist,it is complete except for the winding handle.i can send a photo if you want cheers gary toodyay WA
Hello Gavin wondering if you still the little hills hoist…
how much please
i have one, can send photos
Hi, Do you still have a mini hills hoist for sale? If so what price is it?
Hi Michelle I have a mini hills hoist for sale . I’m at the Gold Coast in Queensland. Have had this since I was a child . Let me know if you’re still interested in buying one thanks
I have one too I get different versions to what it was used for – either a rep or store sample or a toy for kids – in good condition they can fetch over $500
I am wondering if anyone knows where I can find a mini hills hoist clothes line selling at reasonable price. I once saw one at an antique shop and did not buy it at the time went back and of course sold, I know myself how much I would pay going by what I saw in the store.
If anyone knows I would greatly appreciate it.
I have one for sale, it’s in pretty good condition except for a couple of rust holes in the base. Obviously would like to get market value for it. If anyone is interested please let me know. My location is Coogee, NSW.
Hi Rhonda,
is this still available? and if so how much you after for it?
Cheers
Mini hoist .please ring 0421983386
Hi, I have recently had a clean up under the house and found a Mini Hills Hoist which you maybe interested in. I am thinking of listing it on eBay. As you say, you know how much you are prepared too pay, I have a price in mind. I live in Mt Dandenong, Victoria which may not suit you. The Clothesline is in original condition it winds up/down, spins around and line is original has a little surface rust around winder. Happy to send photos if you wish. Regards Pam
Hi Pam,
Thanks for letting us know about the Mini Hills Hoist that you found while cleaning up. As the Museum already has one of these in our collection we would not be interested in acquiring another. Thanks again for bringing this to our attention though.
Kind regards,
Sarah
Hello Pam
I just wondering if you still got the Hills mini
Clothes line
Regards
Pat
Hi all
Just throwing it out there
Would anyone know the whereabouts of one of these
Miniture Hills hoist children clothes line.
Need one for my collection
Thank you
Pat…
hi i know a guy thst has a mini hills hoist he purchased it from a hardwsre in the 50’s at Annerley juntion in brisbane. he asked if i could sell it gor jim
I’d like to purchase one. Pleeez.
I have one for sale if anybody is interested it is in great condition.
I am interested in a mini hills hoist too, good condition. My email address is leannesmith2@y7mail.com. Thanks!
Does anyone have one of these for sale ?
Hi I have one I’m willing to sell, I’m in Adelaide.
Please email me if interested
Hi Erica, probably a long shot but wondered if you still had your mini hills hoyst for sale?
Yeah I still, have it, any ideas on
Why you would be willing to pay
Hi do any of these posts..currently have a Minature Hills Hoist for sale…email me please with photo condition and price please.
ate011@bigpond.com
Are you still looking for a hills hoist
I’m looking for an old mini hills hoist . My grandma had one , that my aunt , cousins and myself all played on . It’s whereabouts is unknown and I’d love my daughters to have one too
My mother is selling her hills hoist it is in mint condition if anyone is after one 😊
Hello I’m very interested in buying one my gran had one and I adored it but my aunt got it when she died and She left it behind at her old house How much and may I see photos please kind regards Loretta
Hello, just wondering if it is still available?
Hello
I googled and found this add
Is this mini clothes line still for sale ?
Thanks
Steve / sms 0468 469 444
Just wondering if anyone had one for sale?
Whats the going price for one September 2019??
Hi Leasa,
The Museum is unable to provide valuations, but as you can see these items are clearly very popular. I expect some of our readers might be able to give you an idea of what they’re worth or else you would probably find others for sale online as a price guide. I hope that helps.
Sarah Reeves, MAAS
Hi guys , I have one for sale. Best offer by the end of the week gets it!!!
I have a hills hoist for sale please email me if you are interested
I would be interested
My email is gregbredice@aol.com
Thanks
I have a mini hills hoist for sale in good condition if anyone is interested please contact me!
Hi Sherri, is this still available please? And Where are you located thanks
Hey guys, I’m interested in buying a mini hills hoist clothes line, please let me know
Hi I have one of these for sale
contact Toni 0429966197 with best offer by end of next week
I have one for sale great condition email me pograd02@yahoo.com.
Hello to Anyone Out There
I’am seeking to buy a mini host close line of around 60cm tall.
I seem one in a shop but was not for sale and now I really want one.
Does anyone know how or where this item is available ?
I welcome your reply.
With thanks in advance
Steve
0468 469 444
Hello To Everone
Iam seeking a mini hoist clothes line that is still In working order.
If anyone has this item for sale ?
Please send email with current pic’s to – m2go4@yahoo.com.au
Thank Steve
Text / sms or ph – 0468 469 444
I have a mini hills hoist thinking about selling .
Can send photos . Located in Brisbane .
0415554647