1. The first hand-cranked egg beater was invented in 1870, by Rhode Island native Turner Williams, but it wouldn't be until 1918 that the first electric mixer was invented and sold by the Universal Electric Mixer and Beater Company.
2. Electric mixers got their first real enduring classic in May 1930 with the introduction of the Sunbeam MixMaster domestic food mixer. Today's very popular Sunbeam mixer still retains many of the features of this initial model.
3. In 1937, KitchenAid introduced its own domestic food mixer, which became an instant classic. Today's KitchenAid mixer is largely unchanged from its originating ancestor, proving the vitality and quality of the original design.
4. KitchenAid mixers currently control about half of the market for stand mixers, with the Hamilton Beach mixer and the Sunbeam mixer holding significant chunks of the remainder. In the hand-mixer market, Black & Decker, Hamilton Beach, and Sunbeam dominate sales.
5. Some KitchenAid mixers that were manufactured by Hobart in the 1960s and earlier are still in use today thanks to their heavy all-metal construction and great durability. Though today's models make extensive use of plastics and electronics, they remain efficient and reliable.
6. While Cuisinart, KitchenAid, Hamilton Beach, Black & Decker, and Sunbeam mixers are the most recognized names in mixers, other, smaller brands such as DeLonghi, Farberware, Back to Basics, and West Bend also make quality units and shouldn't be disregarded offhand because of their unfamiliar brand names.
7. Some major brands only produce one kind of mixer and not the other. For example, Black & Decker, Oster, and Proctor-Silex make fine hand mixers and drink mixers, but they eschew the stand mixer market. This means that they can easily be inadvertently overlooked by shoppers, which is a shame.
8. Prices for quality stand mixers from the above companies range from a low figure of $40 all the way up to $600 on the high end. Hand mixers are generally cheaper, and can be had for as little as $10 or as much as $160.
9. In general, KitchenAid occupies the high end of the mixer price range. Hamilton Beach mixers and Sunbeam mixers follow close behind, along with the smaller brands. The brand of mixer you choose will depend largely on your budget, as well as your mixing needs.
10. As in all buying situations, when choosing the Cuisinart mixer that is right for you, be sure to look at features, build quality, and ergonomics/feel. The best mixer for your kitchen is the one you'll be happiest using for several years to come.
