Fascinating facts about the invention of
blender by Stephen Poplawski in 1922.

Stephen Poplawski is credited with inventing the blender in 1922. Poplawski was the first to put spinning blades at the bottom of a container.  In 1932, Poplawski, received patents for a machine that would reduce fruits and vegetables to a liquid. You can find blenders in most kitchens in America. They have become an indispensible way to process food and drinks.

The 'Waring Blender' was one of the earliest commercially successful blenders. The most unusual thing about it is it is named after orchestra leader Fred Waring. Frederick Osius worked on improving inventor Poplawski's blender, and went to Waring for financial backing. Waring backed its development, in part, so he could puree raw vegetables for the ulcer diet his doctors prescribed. Waring also delighted in most new inventions. The Waring Blender (originally called the Miracle Mixer) debuted in 1937 and sold for $29.75. By 1954 one million Waring Blendors had been sold.

In 1946, John Oster made a decision to diversify from barber equipment to small house electrical appliances and purchased Stevens Electric, the company that invented the liquefier blender. Soon after, the first Osterizer^® blender was introduced.

TO LEARN MORE

RELATED INFORMATION:
Invention of the Mixer   from The Great Idea Finder
History of Household Items    from The Great Idea Finder  

ON THE BOOKSHELF:
Panati’s Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things
by Charles Panati / Paperback - 480 pages Reissue edition (September 1989) / HarperCollins
Discover the fascinating stories behind the origins of over 500 everyday items, expressions and customs. 
Low-carb Smoothies: More Than 50 Fabulous Recipes The Whole Family Will Love
by Dana Carpender / Paperback: 128 pages / Fair Winds Press (MA) (April 30, 2005)
Low-carb diet guru Dana Carpender offers readers 50 all-new recipes for smoothies along with beautiful full-color photos in this one-of-a-kind book.
Good Housekeeping Blend It!
by Barbara Chernitz / Spiral-bound: 144 pages / Hearst; Spiral edition (September 28, 2003)
150 Sensational Recipes to Make in Your Blender-Frappes, Smoothies, Soups, Pancakes, Frozen Cocktails and More. Mouthwatering color photos and illustrations will tempt you to get started, and there’s plenty of helpful information on using the blender effectively. Every recipe includes prep and cooking times, the number of servings, and key nutritional details
Those Inventive Americans ( This title is out of print. )
by National Gographic Society / Hardcover - 231 pages (1971) / NGS-Special Pub. Division

ON THE SCREEN:
Digi-tech
DVD / 1 Volume Set / 50 Minutes / History Channel / Less than $25.00
See how the computing capacity of World-War II era room-sized computers is now surpassed by hand-held devices; visit Zenith to see a side-by-side comparison of regular television and HDTV; discover how a Cold War era NASA program is transforming personal photography, and get the inside story about MP3s.
Household Wonders  
DVD / 1 Volume Set / 50 Minutes / History Channel / Less than $25.00
HOUSEHOLD WONDERS tells the story of seven taken-for-granted inventions that make modern life comfy, fast and clean: the stove, sewing machine, refrigerator, air conditioner, washing machine, vacuum cleaner, toaster and mixer.

ON THE WEB:
The Birth of the Blender
Racine Wisconsin the birth place of many of today's successful consumer products. The blender, malted milk, milkshake, lollipop, Colby cheese, and the portable vacuum cleaner. Article Land of Milk and Money by Margaret McArthur and Dave Scantland for the Daily Gulett eZine.
(URL: www.egullet.org/tdg.cgi?pg=ARTICLE-blender)
The Electric Blender
You can find blenders in most kitchens in America. They have become an indispensible way to process food and drinks.
(URL: discover.edventures.com/functions/termlib.php?action=&single=&word=blender)
Electric blender
The first electric blender was developed in 1922, specifically for making malts and milk shakes at soda fountains. In 1932 its inventor, Stephen J. Poplawski, received patents for a machine that would reduce fruits and vegetables to a liquid.
(URL: www.museum.state.il.us/exhibits/athome/1920/objects/eblender.htm)
Dictionary of Wisconsin History
inventor of the electric blender; born in Poland on Aug. 14, 1885, he emigrated at age 9 with his parents to Racine, Wis.
(URL: www.wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?)
Waring Blender
The 'Waring Blender' was one of the earliest commercially successful blenders. The most unusual thing about it is it is named after orchestra leader Fred Waring.
(URL: www.foodreference.com/html/fwaringblender.html)
Osterizer^® blender
In 1946, John Oster made a decision to diversify from barber equipment to small house electrical appliances. Soon after, the first Osterizer^® blender was introduced.
(URL: www.oster.com/history.aspx)
History of The Electric Blender
In 1922, a man by the name of Steven Poplawski invented the common kitchen appliance known as the blender. He then used his new invention to make sodas at a soda fountain.
(URL: www.bergen.org/AAST/Projects/Engineering_Graphics/_EG2001/blender/history.html)
Hamilton Beech History
The first Hamilton Beach product, an electric hand-held massager, was produced in 1910. The same year, Hamilton Beach Manufacturing Company was founded for the sole purpose of developing more "universal" motor-driven appliances. The company marketed its own home milkshake machine, the Single Spindle Drinkmaster, as early as 1911.
(URL: www.hamiltonbeach.com/company/index.html)
The milkshake that shook up America
History lesson about the invention of Walgreens immortal malted milkshake, an instant classic, by Ivar "Pop" Coulson in 1922.
(URL: www.walgreens.com/about/history/hist4.jhtml)

WHERE TO FIND:
Hamilton Beach Turbo-Twister 2-Speed Hand Blender
Kitchenware / by Hamilton Beach / ASIN: B00008IH9S / model: 59770 / Less than $20.00
Oster 2 Speed Hand Blender
Kitchenware / by Sunbeam / ASIN: B0000AZUW9 / model: 2614 /  Less than $20.00
Waring Kitchen Classic Blendor, Brushed Chrome
Kitchenware / by Waring / ASIN: B00005MFCA / model: WPB05BC / Less than $80.00

HOW IT WORKS:
Mixers should not be confused with blenders. Blenders contain sharp blades and typically operate at higher speeds that chop, liquefy, or otherwise break down larger food items. A mixer is a much slower device without blades.

DID YOU KNOW?:

• The Waring Blender was used by Dr. Jonas Salk in his laboratory while he was working on the Salk Polio Vaccine.
• The Waring Blender (originally called the Miracle Mixer) debuted in 1937 and sold for $29.75.
• By 1954 one million Waring Blenders had been sold.