Dish-washing machine patentIn 1850, the first U.S. patent for a dishwashing machine was issued to Joel Houghton of Ogden, NY, for an "Improvement in Machines for Washing Table Furniture" (No.7,365). Its design had a cylindrical wire basket to contain the dishes in a tub of boiling water which contained beaters turned by a handle to move the water against the tableware in the basket. The cylinder could also be rotated to expose its contents evenly to the action of the churning water. The first patent on a dishwasher that became commerically successful was issued on 28 Dec1886 to Josephine Cochrane. She began a company supplying her machines to restaurants and hotels, which continued after her death, and years later led to the "KichenAid" brand of home dishwashers.« |
