Cryptic update that will give you a hint on how ridiculously far the project has now expanded: Whyyyyy did whoever installed the dryer in the 1970s HARD-WIRE the dryer to the breaker box?! Did they not have dryer plugs back then?!! ARG.
(once again, not looking for advice, just yelling into the void. Someday, maybe, I'll have a dishwasher again. And a washing machine. And a dryer. And a sink. And a laundry room floor...)