Appliances are mechanical or eletrical devices created to reduce the human energy needed to complete a task. Appliances got their start in the post Civil-War era as house servants were much less common and the ladies of the house needed something to help them in the kitchen.http://inventors.about.com/od/kstartinventions/a/kitchen.htm Besides ovens and stoves (which are first recorded in historical documents in France in 1490), most of the appliances used today were invented in the late 1800's through the early 1900's. The dishwasher was one of the first. It was invented in 1850 by Joel Houghton. It was nothing like the ones in use now, but was a wooden tub with a hand turned wheel that would splash the dishes with water. It was very impractical but it was the first one. http://inventors.about.com/od/kstartinventions/a/kitchen.htm
Small Appliances
There is a wide array of small appliances available to quicken the speed of life. Simple things such as the microwave, the toaster, the toaster oven, the blender, and countless other appliances are small appliances. They can be found in almost any house in America. The toaster merely expanded on the Roman's idea that toasting bread prolonged it's life. The waffle iron is also an appliance that is popular. It was invented in 1869 in New York.
Most small appliances deal with the making or preparing of food, and are not always electric. The cork screw, apple parers, and even knifes and forks are considered small appliances.
Large Appliances
Large appliances are not just for the kitchen. Besides the kitchen appliances (refrigerator/freezer, oven/stove, dishwasher, garbage disposal) there are other appliances used out of the kitchen, such as the water heater, the washer, and the dryer.
The first garbage disposal was invented in 1927 by John W. Hammes for his wife. He later went into business selling his invention under the name In-Sink-Erator Manufacturing Company. The first real refrigerator was invented in 1805 by Oliver Evans. His idea was then improved upon by Jacob Perkins in 1835.
Popular Brands
Shopping
You can shop for appliances in stores and online. Some popular stores include:
Will It Blend? Blendtec Blender Commercial
Blendtec has made itself famous through it's use of the "Will It Blend?" videos on Youtube. The blender is put through all sorts of tests blending random things to show the strength and durability of the blender. In this episode, they show the strength of the blender by blending a dozen glow sticks.
References
Fast Facts
-
Fact:
Appliances are split into two groups, large and small appliances.
-
Fact:
Most appliances are made for the kitchen.
-
Fact:
Not all appliances are electric.
-
Fact:
The first garbage disposal was invented in 1927
-
Pouplar Brands
