Let’s travel back in time and thank Josephine for saving us hours in the kitchen washing dishes.
I used the “Woman of the Week” section to highlight modern women who have chased their dreams despite the odds. But it’s just as important to celebrate those who have thought outside the box to uplift not just themselves but all women. After all, women supporting women is what truly makes a difference!
Women can be women’s best ally and Josephine Cochran is the example of that.
Josephine Cochran was tired of seeing her fine china get chipped every time it was washed by hand. She couldn’t see her treasured crockery getting damaged every day, so she decided to do something about it.
She did that by inventing the first practical dishwasher.
Born in Ohio and later moving to Illinois, Josephine saw a real need for a better way to wash dishes. So, she got to work. She designed a machine with wire compartments to hold plates, cups, and saucers, placed inside a spinning wheel inside a copper boiler. A motor pumped hot, soapy water from the bottom, doing the scrubbing without the risk of breaking dishes.
She introduced her dishwasher at the 1893 World’s Fair and it caught the attention of hotels and restaurants. But the intention was too big for most homes at the time since household water heaters couldn’t supply enough hot water.
That couldn’t stop Josephine. She was not ready to give up. Her company, Garis-Cochran Dish-Washing Co., kept pushing forward, and decades later, when home water systems improved, dishwashers became a must-have appliance.
Later her company became part of KitchenAid, and in 1949, the first KitchenAid dishwasher based on her design hit the market. Because of Josephine’s determination and creative thinking, dishwashers are a staple in kitchens worldwide.
So, when you get some me time after washing your dishes in that dishwasher, don’t forget to thank Josephine.