The Cracked Dish That Changed Everything

Picture this ... you just finished an amazing dinner, you're surrounded by the sweet smell of sherry and whiskey, the candles are burning down, stomachs are full, spirits are light, and the kitchen is full of dirty dishes.

Phase 2 of the evening is about to begin ... The Clean Up.

I'm sure we can all relate to this scene. In fact it was the catalyst that set in motion one of the most widely used inventions of today. Enter Josephine Cochrane: “If nobody else is going to invent a dishwashing machine, I’ll do it myself.”

Josephine's tale is one of resilience and determination. She faced both technical and social challenges, and yet she persisted through them all. She stands as a true emblem of creativity, feminism, and perseverance. Although there is much more to her journey, I hope this glimpse into her life inspires you to explore further and learn more.

Fun Facts

• Josephine filed her patent in 1886 — the same year the Statue of Liberty was unveiled

• The first dishwasher patent ever filed (1850) was a hand-cranked wooden box that barely worked — Josephine's redesign made everyone else obsolete

• KitchenAid still acknowledges Josephine's contribution as the foundation of the brand today

Continue Reading

• Josephine Garis Cochran

• USPTO Journeys of Innovation

• The Forgotten Story of the Woman Who Invented the Dishwasher — Popular Science

• World Columbian Exposition

Next week: History & Wars