If we talkin' 'bout olden times and origins of tasks here ~ laundry was originally hand washed and scrubbed on a rack, then hung to dry. Tedious, yes; but also you're doing One Piece of clothing at a time, which isn't heavy at all.

Women did it because it took like half an entire day to do it. It was practically impossible for someone to work full time and also do this job. Washing machines were considered one of the great feminist liberation landmarks in history for a reason.

But once you bought a washing machine for your wife, then it was still their job… right? Not agreeing with it or anything, and it's obviously sexist by modern standards; but that was the logic ~ it was sold as a convenience / gift.

"Tired of your wife wasting all day doing clothes? Buy the thing so she can do other stuff instead! Only $7500 (in modern currency)"

Damn, really makes me appreciate how cheap my current washing machine of $150 was…