Have you ever stopped to think how the kitchen tools we rely on every day came to be? Today, let’s take a trip back in time to explore the fascinating history of one such essential appliance: the mixer.
The Early Days of Mixing
Our story begins in the mid-19th century when inventors across the globe were experimenting with ways to make the process of mixing ingredients easier and more efficient. In 1856, Ralph Collier, a tinner from Baltimore, patented the first mixer with rotating parts. Just a year later, E.P. Griffith introduced the whisk, a revolutionary tool for blending ingredients. The Monroe brothers, J.F. and E.P., also made their mark with their hand-turned rotary egg beater, which was granted a patent in the United States in 1859.
These early designs caught the attention of the Dover Stamping Company, who acquired the Monroe Brothers’ patent. The Dover egg beaters became a beloved American brand, known as the “Dover beater.” These beaters were held in such high regard that even a recipe from the Gazette newspaper of Cedar Rapids, IA in February 1929 featured the famous Dover beater in a delightful dessert recipe called “Hur-Mon Bavarian Cream.”
Enter the Electric Era
It wasn’t until 1885 that the first electric mixer made its debut, thanks to the ingenious mind of American inventor Rufus Eastman. However, it was the Hobart Manufacturing Company that truly revolutionized the industry with their large commercial mixers. In 1914, they introduced a groundbreaking new model that forever changed the landscape of mixers.
In the early 20th century, two notable American brands, the Hobart KitchenAid and the Sunbeam Mixmaster, became popular choices among consumers. But despite their popularity, domestic electric mixers were still a rarity in most households until the 1920s when they began to be widely adopted for home use.
The Stand Mixer: A Game Changer
In 1908, Herbert Johnston, an engineer for the Hobart Manufacturing Company, had a eureka moment while observing a baker mix bread dough with a metal spoon. He realized there had to be a better way and set out to create a mechanical counterpart to simplify the process.
By 1915, Johnston’s 20-gallon mixer had become standard equipment in most large bakeries. Just four years later, in 1919, the Hobart Manufacturing Company introduced the Kitchen Aid Food Preparer, which went on to become known as the stand mixer. This revolutionary invention quickly became a staple in kitchens across the country.
From the hand-turned rotary beaters of the 19th century to the introduction of electric motors and the birth of the stand mixer, this essential kitchen tool has come a long way. It has undergone numerous innovations to make our lives easier in the kitchen.
So, the next time you whip up a batch of cookies or blend together a mouthwatering cake batter, take a moment to appreciate the rich history behind your trusty mixer. It’s a testament to human ingenuity and the desire to simplify everyday tasks.
In addition to the mixer, another versatile kitchen tool that has a fascinating history is the meat grinder. Also known as a “meat mincer” in the United Kingdom, this appliance has been used for mincing and mixing raw or cooked meat, fish, vegetables, and more.
The journey of the meat grinder dates back to the nineteenth century when Karl Drais invented the first version of this remarkable tool. Initially, meat grinders were hand-cranked, pushing the meat through a metal plate with small holes, resulting in long, thin strands of flesh.
With advancements in technology and the widespread availability of electricity, manufacturers began creating powered meat grinders. These modern electric grinders enable the seamless and uniform processing of several pounds of beef. Some models even come with attachments that add functionality, such as sausage-making, kibbe, and juicing, which has dramatically expanded the range of applications for meat grinders.
So, the next time you’re mincing meat for a savory dish or experimenting with homemade sausages, remember the journey and ingenuity behind your meat grinder. It’s a testament to how kitchen tools have evolved to make our culinary adventures more accessible and enjoyable.
Barbara Eden, a beloved Hollywood icon, defies age and embraces life
Incredibly beautiful Barbara Eden is 92 and we can all agree that she looks like she hasn’t aged a day. The I Dream of Jeannie star is as stunning as ever and we couldn’t help but share her recent photos of her with you.
Barbara Eden was born Barbara Jean Morehead on August 23, 1931. Her first public performance was singing in the church choir which later led to her being part of different bands. She studies both singing and acting and turned to be very successful in both.
Her natural beauty brought her the title Miss San Francisco in 1951.
Her TV career started with The Johnny Carson Show in 1955 and continued with a number of series and movies. In I Dream of Jeannie, which is her most remarkable role, she played a genie set free from her bottle. The series aired for five years.
For her last birthday, an official Barbara Eden Instagram account shared a photo of her which left fans stunned by how she looks at that age.
It said, “We wish our favorite blonde, Rider of the Wild Surf, Voyager to the Bottom of the Sea, nemesis of the Harper Valley PTA and of course, the eternal Lady in the Bottle a very happy Birthday today!”
In 1988, Barbara received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contributions to television.
In her memoir Jeannie Out of the Bottle, which was released in 2011, she speaks of her childhood, her fame in her 20’s, as well as her marriages and the tragedy of losing her son.
This year, the actress turned 92 and says she feels age is just a number. In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, she says:“It’s like any other birthday, I’m just happy to be here.”
Barbara is still working and doesn’t plan to retire any time soon. “I was working up until the shutdown point last March,” she told the Hollywood Reporter.
She is happy she has been part of the showbiz. “I’m very happy that I lived during that time,” she told the Hollywood Reporter. “I’m happy that I had my beginnings then, but things change. What a wonderful time now, more actors are working than ever before with all of the companies like Netflix and Amazon, all of these movies and TV shows they are producing.”
“I feel young!” Barbara told Page 6, adding that she considered herself lucky. “I feel sorry for people like my poor father who had to work every day at something he didn’t like. I enjoy my work. I still work.”
Until a few years back, she kept going to the gym, participating in spin classes, and lifting weights. Nowadays, she works with a trainer at her home.
“I have a lot of friends,” the TV legend added. “I’m pretty active socially.”
Eden recently attended a red carpet event in Beverly Hills and completely astounded everyone in attendance with her youthful looks.
She wore a navy blue satin shirt and matching black leggings, a matching set of black and silver jewelry, as well as high shoes with a pointed toe.
In 2021, she explained how she managed to keep her looks.
“I’m very careful about [my] diet,” she mentioned..
“I’m a carnivore… I like steak. We eat a lot of pork, chicken, steak [and] vegetables.”
We all have to agree that Barbara looks awesome.
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