A Short History of the Dishwasher
Do you know who invented that common kitchen appliance, the dishwasher?
Although a hand-powered device was patented by Joel Houghton in 1850, it was Josephine Cochran who made the first real automatic dishwasher in 1886.
Mrs Cochran, 44, a socialite, was frustrated with careless servants chipping her china, so she conceived a dishwasher to do the job for her.
In her woodshed she designed wire holders for plates, cups or saucers, which were placed in a copper boiler. A motor turned the barrel while hot, soapy water was splashed over the dishes.
I find it interesting that she wanted a machine to clean her china for her. These days, we put the more durable plates in the dishwasher, and wash the delicate china by hand. :)
Here’s another food for thought:
Auckland University technology historian Dr Ruth Barton says a dishwasher doesn’t save a housewife’s time, but the work often done by children or husbands can now be done by one person.
What do you think? Does your dishwasher really save you time?
[Source: The New Zealand Herald]
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POSTED IN: Cleaning, Product News and Reviews
2 opinions for A Short History of the Dishwasher
Lacey Bishop
Jan 31, 2006 at 10:24 am
YOYO I think her invention was so cool and it is so obvious that a woman invented the dishwasher.!!!!!
Silent In The Morning
Feb 20, 2006 at 5:46 am
Dishwasher
As Maricar wrote over at Keeping The Castle, the dishwasher is not the labor/time saving device many people think that it is. As a matter of fact, as I have learned, it actually costs more money and time to own…
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