History of the Mixer

A Star Is Born In1870, Turner Williams invented the first hand-cranked eggbeater. It reigned as the handiest kitchen appliance until 1919, when the stand mixer took over. In 1908 Herbert Johnson and Hobart Manufacturing began development of an 80-quart mixer that revolutionized professional bakeries. By 1915, U.S. Navy vessels were equipped with Hobart Stand Mixers. After World War I, Hobart designed a non-commercial mixer (the KitchenAid) that rotated the beaters in one direction and the batter in another. It sold for just under $190 and weighed 65 pounds. Gearing Up The KitchenAid stand mixer was not an immediate success. Women took sales door to door and demonstrated the new appliance. Once the citrus juicer and food grinder were added to the line in 1919, sales increased. In the late '20s, KitchenAid stand mixers were downsized to better accommodate traditional kitchens.

Although KitchenAid is credited for pioneering the stand mixer, Sunbeam is responsible for the mixer's popularity growth. In 1930, Sunbeam's stand mixer, marketed as the MixMaster, sold for $18.25. Six years later, during the Depression years, Sunbeam was selling 300,000 mixers per year. KitchenAid retaliated with three new stand mixer designs that sold for $55.

The Power Hour
Sunbeam and KitchenAid remained competitors. In 1952 Sunbeam marketed the first handheld MixMaster. In the mid '50s, KitchenAid boldly took mixers to a new level when they ventured from the traditional white appliance and manufactured models in Island Green, Petal Pink, and Sunny Yellow. When KitchenAid released the hand mixer, it again exceeded the industry standards.

In today's market, KitchenAid is number one in sales of stand mixers and portable hand mixers. As in the '30s, Sunbeam is still a worthy opponent, with Hamilton Beach trailing slightly. Today's KitchenAid mixers can be equipped with attachments that transform them into grain mills, ice cream makers, sausage stuffers, ravioli and pasta machines, and can openers. Hand mixers are equipped with whisks, liquid blender rods, turbo beaters, and bread hooks.