The kitchen mixer, an essential tool in every modern kitchen, has a fascinating history. Today, we delve into its origins and evolution.
Early Patents and Inventions
The story begins in the mid-19th century when the first mixer with rotating parts was patented by Ralph Collier in 1856. A year later, E.P. Griffith’s whisk was patented in England, followed by the Monroe brothers’ hand-turned rotary egg beater in 1859. These inventions laid the foundation for what was to come.
The Dover Era
One of the earliest and most famous brands of egg beaters emerged from the Monroe brothers’ patent. The Dover Stamping Company acquired their patent, leading to the creation of the iconic Dover egg beaters. By February 1929, the term “Dover beater” had become widely used, as shown in a recipe from the Gazette newspaper of Cedar Rapids, IA.
The Electric Revolution
The first mixer with an electric motor is credited to American inventor Rufus Eastman in 1885. However, it was the Hobart Manufacturing Company that played a significant role in advancing the electric mixer. In 1914, Hobart introduced a model that became pivotal to their mixer business.
Early US Brands
During the early 20th century, two iconic American brands of electric mixers emerged – the Hobart KitchenAid and the Sunbeam Mixmaster. While domestic electric mixers were not commonly used before the 1920s, these brands helped popularize them for home use.
The Stand Mixer’s Rise
In 1908, an engineer named Herbert Johnston invented the electric standing mixer while working for the Hobart Manufacturing Company. He was inspired by watching a baker mix bread dough with a metal spoon and began developing a mechanical counterpart. By 1915, his 20-gallon mixer became a standard piece of equipment in most large bakeries. In 1919, Hobart introduced the Kitchen Aid Food Preparer, the first stand mixer for home use.
From the humble origins of the hand-turned egg beater to the innovative stand mixer, the kitchen mixer has come a long way. Today, it is an indispensable tool that has made baking and cooking easier for people around the world.
