more about The Lowest Pair here:
http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=991&messages=3

washing machine here:
http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=18896&messages=20

each thread contains lots of links on John Hartford

I have fond memories of the bluegrass festival I was working at
and when John had a workshop I had a giant chalk board wheeled
into the room and he proceeded to launch into a discussion
(complete with detailed illustrations) about paddle wheel
steam boats--toot toot!