What You Didn’t Know About Your Hand Mixer

You may take your hand mixer, or mistakenly referred to as an egg beater, for granted. Or if you are on the market to buy an electric mixer online you likely have no idea how this useful kitchen tool came to be.

For those who love cooking fresh homemade meals, a handheld electric mixer has proven to be a must-have appliance and as such these mixers have been ranked as one the top mixers as well as the number one choice among consumers. In most cooking shows on television, most chefs have been seen to use these mixers which indicate that Chefs also prefer them.

They are easy to use and also work efficiently. Getting used to these modern conveniences happens so fast that sometimes we forget these appliances haven’t always been there and having a glimpse of their history shows how interesting they actually are.

History and Origins of the Modern Day Mixer

Not so long ago on the 16th of January in the year 1856, the mixer with the rotating parts was patented by Ralph Collier, a tinsmith from Baltimore, Maryland.

 

Original egg beater patent from 1856

Dec 23, 1856 Egg Beater Patent

Following the first-hand invention was that of E.P. Griffith’s whisk on the 10th of May 1857. Leading to the Dover egg beater patented by J.F. and E.P. Monroe in 1859.Patent for original egg beater mixer

 

Over time the handheld mixer evolved as it became the mission of many to create a device that would make mixing and whisking easier yet more efficient.  Their Dover eggbeaters became a classic American brand and in the early 1870s, a Dover eggbeater cost about $1.50. With the increasing rate of competition from other mixers the price rapidly declined so much that in the beginning of the 1910s, you could have one for about $0.05.

The arrival of the first mixer with electric motor did change the direction of things for other mixer companies, and it was invented by American Rufus Eastman in 1885.

First electric mixer patent and invention drawing

First Electric Mixer Patent – Nov 17, 1885

In 1908 Herbert Johnson, an engineer for the Hobart Manufacturing Company, was observing a baker that was strenuously mixing a massive amount of bread dough with nothing but a metal spoon, perspiring over the place. The scene inspired the engineer into the invention of the electric standing mixer. His goal was to create a mechanical mixing device that’ll be used effortlessly, and his design created an uproar in the evolution of mixers because of the rotational feature of the device – where the mixer moves the bowl in a clockwise direction while the beater undergoes an anti-clockwise circulation.

 

By 1915, due to the capacity of the 80-quart mixer also known as “Model H” it became a conventional equipment on all U.S. Navy vessels and large commercial bakeries. Although World War I interrupted the move into the residential market, by 1918, the executives of most companies tested the model in their home.

“I don’t care what you call it, all I know is it’s the best kitchen aid I’ve ever had.” one of the executives’ spouses retorted.

Early Electric Mixers – Getting Started in Homes

In 1919, Hobart launched the KitchenAid Food Preparer (stand mixer) for the home, but because of the weight which was about 65 pounds, and the cost which was over $2000 retailers were a little hesitant in buying it. Hobart mobilized a direct sales force which consisted more of women, they conducted a door to door demonstration, convincing their buyers even by the addition of citrus juicer and food grinder attachment. With this bold move, the KitcenAid stand mixers soared into becoming the “must have” device in every kitchen.

Electric Hand Mixers for the Mass Market

Vintage, antique kitchen aid stand mixers - two of them

By Cindy Funk (Flickr: Kitchen Aid)

On the 10th of June 1922, Kitchen Aid made their first electric hand mixer.

With this, the mixmaster introduced itself into history stirring a great deal of competition in the market. In 1930, Ivar Jepson invented the electric mixer and Sunbeam Company began selling the device, the weight and price were much lesser than that of the KitchenAid mixers. Although the competition was fierce, mixmaster increased the sales of mixers to homes drastically, selling over 30,000 mixmasters in a year. And in 1952 mixmaster invented its handheld mixer. Things positively changed for KitchenAid when they hired a renowned industrial design pioneer, Egmont Ahren. He redesigned the Model H into the current bullet-shaped design, reducing it both in size and price of about $55

Today, the reputation for the handheld mixers originate from the fact that they are of a built with great quality and craftsmanship.

With every home having one the handheld mixer have given us a long history of preparing delicious meals for the family to enjoy or even special occasions. As one who loves homemade meals or even a professional chef, it is very difficult to imagine yourself not having one.

After all, you don’t want to go back to using oneCrank handle vintage egg beater mixer of these do you?