When I first came to the US, I was surprised at the dominance of Top Loaders, which, from a European perspective, I considered to be obsolete technology, along with bleach - which is something your mother used, before the advent of enzymes or "biological" washing powders. [ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laundry_detergent]Laundry detergent - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]
It is only recently that that high-tech European Style newfangled front loaders seem to have caught on over here.
More information than you ever wanted to know over at [ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washing_machines]Washing machine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame] , or from this convert A Better Way to do Laundry - What Should You Know About Front Load Washing Machines? - Epinions.com