Further to the comments about Drying Frames [post 44*- known as a "Rack" in Ramsbottom/Bury] these were common when I was a child. Good for space saving in a small terraced house and lightweight-to enable hauling washing up towards the ceiling...where, as said, the warm air collects!
When I moved to my Scrap Yard/former Model Lodging House in Rammy one of the original features was/is a very substantial frame embedded in the kitchen ceiling which would be very difficult to lift if not fixed in place, even without the wet clothes!
It's nearly always the first thing people comment on and ask was it used for the washing? I'm still not sure. It's in front of a blanked off large fireplace opening so that might be a clue? I suppose the potential for a Homes and Gardens type trendy kitchen, with the rack having Copper pans etc suspended from it, exists but it hasn't happened yet
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Dave W