Ellen Elgin ~ The Wringer ~

Transformed one of the most exhausting household chores of the 1800s with her invention of the clothes wringer, leaving a lasting mark on African American and women’s history. Born in 1849 in Washington, D.C., she spent years doing the backbreaking work of hand‑washing and wringing laundry—an experience that inspired her to create a better, more efficient method.

In 1888, she introduced her device: two wooden rollers attached to a crank that squeezed excess water from freshly washed clothes, dramatically cutting drying time. The wringer became a household staple well into the 20th century, yet Eglin received almost none of the credit or financial reward. Aware that racial prejudice would hurt sales, she sold her design for just $18, later explaining that white consumers would not buy a product publicly credited to a Black woman. By 1900, the American Wringer Company was profiting from the invention she created.

Though much of her life remains undocumented, Ellen Eglin’s impact is undeniable. Her clothes wringer reshaped household labor for generations and stands as a powerful reminder of the brilliance and resilience of Black women inventors whose contributions changed everyday life. SALUTE!!!

The Wringer is a handcrafted piece of jewelry made with 10mm Blue and White Turquoise with Silver accents.

The perfect piece to complement any outfit.