What you have found there Gizmo is a version of the Pusser's (Navy) dhobey bucket and pogo stick.
The Navy version is a bit more robust than "The Breathing Washer" consisting of a galvanised iron rubbish bin and a galvanised iron T bar stick with a perforated gal steel cone welded on to the bottom end. My pogo stick is made from stainless steel.
They are a very effective clothes washing system and do a better job than an auto machine.
Don't laugh at them because I have just supplied my Nepalese tenants with a dhobey bucket and pogo stick after they have buggered four auto washing machines in 16 months with washing their farm work clothes.
They are quite a good way of getting some exercise while accomplishing a routine task.
Five to ten minutes with a dhobey bucket and pogo stick will get your clothes as clean as they will ever get.
Definitely not a "Stupid Invention" except for "The Breathing Washer" probably not being robust enough for sustained use.
I made my own T bar stick but the cone on the end cost me $100 which to me is good value. At last a washing machine that will out last me.
