This 1950s Kitchen Gave Housewives “Leisure Time“ - A New Idea!

The 1940s kitchen which most housewives inhabited during and immediately after World War II required a ton of work. It was an all day affair. So the concept of leisure time, something new in the 1950s for millions of Americans becoming middle-class, buying homes with modern kitchens, was absolutely thrilling to many women including my mother. I can remember as a kid when she first tried our new dishwasher. In 1955 many modern conveniences were starting to become commonplace in middle-class homes. Here’s a list of what you might expect to find in a mid-twentieth century kitchen: Refrigerator: This was a standard appliance in kitchens by 1955. Many models were available, with some even offering features like automatic defrost. Gas or Electric Stove and Oven: The type could depend on regional preferences and utilities available. Electric stoves were becoming more common, but gas was still widely used. Toaster: An everyday appliance for toasting bread, they were usually made of chrome and often had a sleek, modern design. Electric Mixer: Stand mixers and handheld electric mixers were both popular. They helped to make tasks like mixing dough or batter much easier. Coffee Maker or Percolator: Electric percolators were popular for brewing coffee at this time. Blender: This appliance became popular for making things like milkshakes and puréeing foods. Dishwasher: While not as common as today, dishwashers were beginning to make their way into middle-class homes in the mid-1950s, especially in the United States. Microwave Oven: Though the microwave oven was invented in the late 1940s, it was not commonly found in households until the 1960s. In 1955, it would have been quite rare and expensive. Waffle Iron: These were common for making homemade waffles. Electric Can Opener: This was another appliance that was starting to become popular. The garbage disposal, also known as the waste disposal unit or garbage disposer, was invented in 1927. John Hammes developed the idea for the appliance after observing his wife’s frustration with kitchen waste. He patented his device, known as the “InSinkErator,“ in 1935 and formed the InSinkErator company in Racine, Wisconsin, to manufacture and sell the device. As for General Electric (GE), it was and is still a major player in the home appliance industry. In 1955, their product line included various types of home appliances including refrigerators, freezers, electric ranges, water heaters, air conditioners, dishwashers, and other kitchen appliances.