A brief history of 1916 1920s 1929 1950 1968 1973 2001 2014 GM buys Armstrong Electric Former U.S. Zenith develops first TV remote control, the Clairol’s True-to- Home chefs Swedish company Electrolux Five Elements first self- Co. unveils Army Lt. Col. ‘Lazy Bones,’ connected to TV by cable. Light Makeup slice, dice and introduces disc-shaped Trilobite, Robotics unveils contained Perc-O-Toaster, Jacob Schick Some customers complained of tripping Mirror allows purée food first robotic vacuum cleaner that Budgee, $1,400 electric which makes toast develops over cable on living room floor. Similar women to put like uses sensors to find its way around robotic personal refrigerator and coffee in one. electric shaver corded remote controls came out their glam on professional room. assistant that from Alfred Its ad touts, ‘Your after having shortly thereafter, including with lights prep cooks 1992 can follow Emerson Model 1158, left. Mellowes, complete breakfast 1927 trouble shaving simulating as Cuisinart U.S. Environmental person and carry who prepared in one in below-zero weather 1946 1960 day, office or 1971 unveils Protection Agency 50-pound load. 1882 1889 developed appliance.’ Architect John while mining in Alaska. Raytheon Corp. evening. Rival debuts electric food introduces Energy it in a backyard in Fort Wayne, Japanese Summer relief comes Singer company introduces W. Hammes 1940 engineer Percy 3.5-quart Crock- processor. Star program with electric fan Ind. GM names it Frigidaire and of Racine, CBS researchers LeBaron Spencer inventor Kazuo Pot slow cooker, to identify first practical electric sewing begins mass production; ‘fridge’ Hashimoto invention by Schuyler machine. Wis., develops invented first discovered and kitchens fill and promote 2019 Skaats Wheeler, a New enters the lexicon. first garbage mechanical color microwave 1955 begins U.S. with aromas of energy-efficient sales of GE introduces Kitchen Hub, smart screen on York City engineer. disposal, TV system in 1940, cooking by Kitchen appliances pop stew, chili and appliances. stove ventilation hood. Has virtual assistant nicknamed 1937 based on 1928 accident when with color as General ‘Ansafone,’ first beans. commercially that controls thermostat and lights, security ‘electric pig’ by First Waring designs. Federal he got close to Electric introduces cameras, and other smart appliances. Users manufacturer, Blendor debuts Communications magnetron in first rainbow hues: successful 1919 telephone 1972 can stream movies and music and engage in 1891 Emerson as Miracle Mixer Commission lab that melted ‘Petal Pink, Canary video chats. KitchenAid Electric Co. at National approved candy bar in Yellow, Cadet Blue, answering Invention of Mr. Carpenter Electric Manufacturing Co. in machine. Coffee, first in- Minneapolis-St. Paul introduces electric produces first Restaurant unrefined system his pocket. He Turquoise Green 1987 household Show in in 1950, but first experimented by and Woodtone home percolator Bread Maker oven. Its 1893 catalog tells how to bake with automatic pies: Place pies ‘in the oven, turn on the electric Chicago, color TV sets did cooking popcorn Brown.’ Mid-century Coppertone, machine by stand-up food demonstrated not hit market until near magnetron, Avocado and Harvest Gold arrived drip process, Panasonic turns electricity for thirty minutes, then take the turns homes into Before electricity reached pies out. They will always be done.’ mixer. by Fred Waring early 1950s. then built crude in 1960s. 1970 U.S. kitchens into 2010 metal box for personal coffee the homes of rural Central 1926 himself. Conair introduces corner bakery. Japanese company Joybond magnetron — the popular pistol-grip shops. Texans, appliances had been Toastmaster, offers portable mini-fridge for first electric 1926 initial microwave hair dryer. watermelons or other fruits. in use in major cities for oven — to heat his 2016 pop-up toaster, C. G. Johnson, Device can be switched to years. By the time power goes on sale. lunches. Practical heat setting, too. Amazon offers Echo speaker, voice- founder of microwaves activated virtual assistant named Alexa reached farmhouses, the Invented by Overhead Door Charles Strite, for home use — an instant consumer hit. Alexa recites sparkling world of easier 1908 1908 Corp. (now based 1938 appeared in 1978 weather, traffic and news reports; turns who didn’t in Lewisville in living arrived in a flash. Hoover vacuum cleaner goes on sale after James Alva J. Fisher invents like burned Ross Moore, who hated hanging wet 1960s. 1967 Fresh popcorn spills on and off smart appliances and timers; Dallas-Forth Worth laundry as boy in North Dakota, invents tells jokes; plays music; reads books; and 2019 Above, an image from an Murray Spangler, a night janitor in Canton, Ohio, electric washing toast served area), invents Amana unveils first countertop microwave, the Radarange, into home kitchens whose asthma worsens from dust, invents device machine called the in cafeteria clothes dryer but can’t find company when Presto and Wear- schedules rides. Other brands of virtual Electronics giant LG unveils TV with flexible ad for a Waring hand mixer, electric garage left, with $495 price tag. Product demonstrators cook 65-inch screen that rolls up for viewing and using fan, tin box, sateen pillowcase and broom Thor, made by Hurley of Minnesota to build it until Hamilton Manufacturing Lazy Maple bacon to entice buyers. ‘Never ever lie Ever introduce hot-air assistants soon follow. circa 1955. door opener in in Two Rivers, Wis., embraces idea and rolls out of sight when not in use. handle. He sells patent to Hoover and accepts job Machine Co. of plant where he Hartford City, Ind. or exaggerate about this machine,’ team leader says. poppers. as factory superintendent. Chicago. worked. begins selling first ‘June Day’ dryer in ‘You don't have to. It's a marvel.’ 1938. Text by Denise Gamino l Design by Joe Stafford.