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In an attempt to grind some brown rice into powder form, I found myself questioning how people in the past would have had to have done this without the use of an electric blender. Of course this would have consisted of sheer brute force and elbow grease, and some time. However, in our modern technological world, it is hard to imagine to work without something that needs to be plugged in before preparing food.

Most professional blenders are designed to last a long time, processing only soft items such as fruits, vegetables and ice. Some come with only a limited capacity therefore over filling can seriously damage the motor. In a recent experience I found that overfilling my blender with the dry rice granules began to increase the temperature of the motor to which I had to immediately stop and reduce the amount in the jug. To my surprise the motor functioned better and even though I felt my job was going to take longer, this was nothing compared to using a pesel and mortar.

In the past people did not have the luxury of using a blender, therefore a lot of time was spent grinding up corns, wheat and seeds to gain smooth flour like consistency. Professional blenders however have been use since the early twentieth century when Stephen Poplawski invented the very first blender. In 1922 Poplawski put together a spinning blade at the bottom of a container, intending to use the device for making soda fountain drinks.

By 1935 Fred Osius took the time to improve upon Poplawski’s invention and began working on the famous Waring Blender. The Waring blender was funded by Fred Waring with Osius patenting and inventing the machine. The blender face many technical difficulties which resulted in Waring letting Osius go and putting it through a complete redesign. This then became the Waring Miracle Mixer blender in 1937 and was launched in Chicago at a public National Restaurant Show. The retail price for the blender was $29.75. Waring later changed his company to Miracle Mixer Corporation calling the blender the Waring Blender.

In a bid to market the product well Waring travelled to hotels and restaurants whilst touring with his band, moving towards more up market stores such as Bloomingdales and B Altman’s. It very quickly became an important tool in the health care sector, especially in hospitals where professional blenders were used for special dietary needs and researching projects. By 1954 one million blenders were sold and today it continues to be a popular kitchen appliance.