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 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.
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 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
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