homemmáquina

A homemáquina is a traditional Portuguese hand-cranked washing machine, primarily used in rural and domestic settings before the widespread adoption of electric appliances. The term "homemáquina" combines the Portuguese words *homem* (meaning "man" or "person") and *máquina* (meaning "machine"), reflecting its manual operation.

The homemáquina typically consists of a wooden or metal frame with a large, circular tub mounted on a rotating axle. Users manually turn a large crank or handle to agitate the clothes inside the tub, often while adding water and soap. The design allows for efficient scrubbing through the mechanical motion, making it a practical tool for laundry before the introduction of electric washers in the mid-20th century.

These machines were especially common in Portugal and other Mediterranean regions, where water sources like wells or rivers were often used to fill the tub. The homemáquina’s simplicity and durability made it a staple in households for generations, though its use declined with the rise of modern appliances.

Today, homemáquinas are largely considered historical artifacts, though some collectors and enthusiasts preserve them as examples of traditional technology. They remain a symbol of domestic ingenuity and the evolution of household labor practices.