History of the Invention of the Dishwasher

History of the Invention of the Dishwasher Everyone has important matters in their lives that need attention, and that is one reason the invention of the dishwasher was so amazing, since it frees up time that would be spent washing dishes.

In 1850, Joel Houghton, an American inventor, designed a wooden machine that splashed dishes with water when someone turned a wheel by hand, and he was granted a patent for this barely workable machine. That modest beginning was the forerunner of today's efficient machines.

In 1865, L.A. Alexander received a patent on a device with gears and a hand crank to spin dishes on a rack through hot water. Although it was an improvement, it still did not do a good job getting dirty dishes clean.

Finally, in 1886, a woman built a practical dishwasher, even though it was still hand-operated.

This amazing woman seemed to inherit her inventiveness. She was Josephine Cochrane, the grand-daughter of John Fitch, the inventor of the steam boat. During the Chicago World's Fair in 1893, she revealed her invention, taking the highest recognition the fair offered. She started her own company to manufacture her dishwashers, and it is now known as KitchenAid. Eventually, other machines were made such as those with a belt or conveyor to move the dirty dishes in spinning baskets through hot water to clean them.

Dishwashers with permanent plumbing were invented by 1920, but they were available only to hotels, restaurants and households wealthy enough to afford them and the space to accommodate their bulk. By 1937, William Howard Livens designed a small version that was more practical for average households. By the 1950s, a smaller and less expensive version came on the market. By the 1970s, they became popular in many households in America.

At the present time, dishwashers are offered in various sizes, functions, shapes and finishes by several manufacturers, making them accessible to most households. The more well known brands on the market are KitchenAid, GE, Whirlpool, Fisher and Payket, Kenmore Elite and Bosch. As it has with almost every modern day convenience, mass production reduced the cost of machines that alleviate or eliminate the drudgery of housework.