Mister Car Wash

1946

The history of commercial car washes in the United States began in 1914. People used manpower to push or move the cars through stages of the process. The name is credited to Automobile Laundry in Detroit, Michigan, opened in 1914 by Frank McCormick and J.W. Hinkle .Manual car wash operations peaked at 32 drive-through facilities in the United States. The first semi-automatic car wash in the United States made its debut in 1946. A facility in Detroit, Michigan, used automatic pulley systems and manual brushing.

1955

Dan Hanna, encouraged by car washers in Detroit, made his own car wash in 1955 called the Rub-a-Dub in Oregon. In 1957, he formed the Hanna Enterprises and eventually reached about 31 locations. In 1959, Hanna operated his wash rack until he made the first mechanized car washing system. Hanna saw expansion as the popularity of his mechanized system spread throughout the city.

1960s

By the mid 1960s, Hanna Enterprises established itself as the main manufacturer of car washing equipment and materials. This includes the Wrap-Around Brush, Roller-on-demand Conveyor belt, soft cloth friction washing, several ways to wash the tires, and a recirculating water system.

1970s

The 1970s introduced the automatic wheel cleaner and the polish'n'wax.