The word "
laundromat" was registered as a trademark by Westinghouse Electric, a subsidiary of White Consolidated Industries on Oct. 1, 1947.
Westinghouse listed the word as first being used in commerce on Oct. 26, 1940, and renewed the trademark in 1988.
Early laundromats were open specific hours, and since they did not necessarily feature coin-operated
machines, there was always an attendant on duty. Some even
required that you make an appointment.
The first unattended, 24-hour self-service
laundromat in the
United States was opened by Nelson Puett in 1949 on North Loop in
Austin,
Texas about
where present day Room Service is located.
bits and pieces -- credited to "Mr. Smarty pants"
AgentNgo