Dishwasher

Josephine Cochrane, USA, patent 335,139 of 1886. The socialite whose machine won hotels before homes.

Overview

Cochrane, granddaughter of steamboat inventor John Fitch, built wire compartments and water jets after servants chipped her china. She patented the Garis-Cochran dishwasher and sold to hotels and restaurants, winning 1893 Chicago World's Fair honors. Homes without hot water resisted until the 1950s. KitchenAid grew from her company. She reportedly said if nobody else would invent a dishwashing machine, I would. Famous first-line: patent 335,139.