Our Faves: KitchenAid

It was in 1914 that engineer Herbert Johnston at The Hobart Manufacturing Company had an idea. While watching a baker mix by hand, he thought there must be a better way to do this.

They started with an industrial style mixer, with some of the first orders going to the U.S. Navy. In 1917 Hobart industrial style mixers became standard equipment on all U.S. Navy ships, prompting development to begin on the first home models.

 

The KitchenAid brand officially began in 1919 by The Hobart Manufacturing Company with their signature counter-top KitchenAid Stand mixer. The prototype models were given to the wives of factory executives, and the brand was named when one said "I don't care what you call it, but I know it's the best kitchen aid I've ever had!". The KitchenAid Stand mixer was the focus of the KitchenAid brand and they hired Egmont Arens in the 1930s to design a low-cost series of mixers. This resulted in the production of the KitchenAid Model "K" and the KitchenAid standard design has remained relatively unchanged since then.

It wasn’t until 1935 that the KitchenAid brand expanded into major kitchen appliances by releasing its first line of dishwashers. They expanded again in 1955 when the company purchased the Chambers Company, incorporating its selection of various cooking appliances into the KitchenAid brand. Then in 1986 KitchenAid was able to offer a complete package of full size kitchen appliances by adding a refrigerator to their catalogue. That same year, Whirlpool Corporation was cleared to purchase KitchenAid for $150 million and it remains under the Whirlpool Corporation umbrella today.

Under Whirlpool Corporation, they expanded the KitchenAid brand of counter top appliances by releasing its first blender in 1992 and its first food processor in 1993. KitchenAid released lines of cookware, bakeware, cutlery, kitchen textiles, and other products in 1999 to create a complete home chef line of KitchenAid products. 

KitchenAid continued to expand on its major kitchen appliances in 2002 by announcing the fully integrated dishwasher with the concealed control panel, in 2003 by releasing the convection oven, in 2004 by releasing its double-drawer dishwasher and in 2005 with the release of the first full-size range with steam assist cooking.

Today, the KitchenAid brand is a leader in innovation and is one of the best known kitchen brands throughout North America. The KitchenAid stand mixer continues to dominate the market for counter-top appliances, with their vast range of major kitchen appliances being some of the top rated in the industry. If you are looking for a full brand experience in your kitchen, KitchenAid truly has it all!

Fun fact – KitchenAid paid tribute to their heritage by including the mixer hob design in the endcaps of the handles in all their major appliances.