Celebrating 100 Years of KitchenAid
While we’re celebrating KitchenAid’s 100 years as a company with the Misty Blue Stand Mixer, read up on the history behind this brand and how it came to be.
History:
1883: Josephine Cochrane of Shelbyville, Illinois, tired of chipped dinnerware by careless staff, determines to invent a mechanical way of cleaning dishes.
1893: Josephine Cochrane enters her commercial dishwasher in the 1893 Great Columbian Exposition (World’s Fair) in Chicago. Advertising at the time for Cochrane’s invention claims that the dishwasher ‘washes, scalds rinses and dries five to 20 dozen dishes in two minutes.
1908: Herbert Johnston, an engineer from a small Midwest town (Troy, Ohio) watched a baker mix bread dough with a heavy iron spoon and decides there has to be a better way. He put his engineering skills to work to develop what became the first commercial mixer.
1914: The Hobart model H, an 80-quart capacity giant mixer went on the market. Introduction of the Hobart model C-10 mixer, described as “suitable for home use”
1919: The Hobart model H-5, the first home mixer (with unique planetary mixing action that is a KitchenAid exclusive), was introduced when wives of Hobart executives tested the H-5, one remarked, “I don’t care what you call it, it’s the best kitchen aid I’ve ever had”. From that day forward, that phrase has been the KitchenAid trademark; it was registered with the U.S. Patent Office in 1919.
1926: Hobart, the originator of the KitchenAid brand name, acquired the Crescent Washing Machine, one of the names used for Josephine Cochrane’s design after her death. The Crescent product line included a commercial dishwasher whose design was based upon the model manufacture by Cochrane and displayed at Chicago’s 1893 Columbian Exposition. Hobart changed the name to Warewasher.
1946: The end of World War II saw the resumption of peacetime production, which was moved from Dayton to Greenville.
1949: KitchenAid launched the first in home dishwasher.
1962: 4 1/2 quart capacity model K45 was introduced. The most popular KitchenAid mixer ever, the K45 is still an important model in the line.
1986: Whirlpool Corporation acquired KitchenAid from Dart and Kraft.
1990: KitchenAid hand mixers were introduced.
1992: KitchenAid blenders joined the KitchenAid line of portable appliances.
1993: Current food processor models were added to the line.
1994: KitchenAid portable appliances began to appear in bold colours. KitchenAid announced that it would construct a new world-class plant for the production of KitchenAid portable appliances in Greenville, Ohio. The 12 1/2 million dollar, 185,000 square foot facility was designed to occupy 47 acres.
2002: KitchenAid goes full tilt with full tilt stand mixers as the company expands its line of legendary stand mixers with the introduction of two new mixers, the Artisan and Custom Series Stand Mixers, Both offer greater bowl capacity and the increased mixing power of a 325-watt motor.
2007: KitchenAid introduces its new line of major appliances.
2009: Celebrates 90 years as a brand
2011: The ExactSlice System is introduced to the food processor range.
2013: Introduction of non-licensed cookware, bakeware and kettles.
2014: KitchenAid unveils the juicer, multi-cooker, coffee brewer, and food processor attachment.
2015: Launch of spiralizer, siphon coffee maker, precision press coffee maker, magnetic drive blender.
2016: KitchenAid releases the new min stand mixer, with a 3.3L bowl, as well as the pro line blender and glass tea kettle.
2017: Launch of fresh prep slicer shredder attachment, vegetable sheet cutter attachment and cold brew coffee maker
2018: KitchenAid releases the revolutionary sifter scale attachment, metal food grinder attachment and new range of food processors.
Once upon a time, there was KitchenAid. Long ago Herbert Johnston stood and watched a baker mix bread dough with a heavy, iron spoon. The Ohio-based engineer was convinced there had to be an easier way and set his skills to work. By 1919 our classic Stand Mixer was born, setting the standard for reliability, flawless performance and timeless design. With a collection of stunning new models and optional attachments launched throughout the thirties, it was on the eve of World War II that the K5A model was introduced. Staying true to the machine’s award-winning design, it was the development of the KitchenAid colour palette that put the world of white goods into a downward spin. By 1955 people had fallen in love with Sunny Yellow, Island Green, Satin Chrome and Petal Pink. The nineties brought with them the introduction of the KitchenAid blender, among other portable appliances, in a range of bold, new colours – Empire Red, Hunting Green, Cobalt Blue and Majestic Yellow.
Today, the colourful KitchenAid range can be found in family homes across New Zealand, Australia, America and the United Kingdom. Whether it’s our Food Processor, Pasta Roller or Classic Stand Mixer where the story first began, there’s a reason we’ve been invited to join these families. Our passion is for cooking, for fine food and how it celebrates a connection with our loved ones and our long-standing traditions. We know that a familiar smell, or taste, can instantly take us back in time to special moments we lived long ago. Whether it’s Grandma’s age-old carbonara or Dad’s grilled lamb rissoles on a summer’s barbecue, KitchenAid helped bring the meal to the table.
Once upon a time, there was KitchenAid. And since that time, we’ve stayed true to our passion for crafting high-quality products that ultimately help your family produce beautiful food. In many cultures, food is an expression of love – and in the KitchenAid culture, that’s what we’re all about – cooking from the heart.
