1839 - 1913
Welcome to our Game Changers.
The world moves forward because of game changers, those who see possibilities where others see limits. Across every industry, innovative organizations are transforming the way we live.
From the Kitchen Sink to KitchenAid
Meet Josephine Cochrane, the Inventor of the First Successful Hand-Powered Dishwasher
Ever had something annoy you so much you couldn't just let it slide? For Josephine Cochrane, that moment came at a dinner party when an heirloom plate got chipped in the sink. Instead of complaining, she thought, “If nobody else is going to invent a solution, I’ll do it myself.”
And she did.
In the 1880s, Josephine was a widow, drowning in debt, and living in a world that told women to stay in their lane. But Josephine wasn't about to let that stop her. No engineering degree? No problem. No venture capital? Didn't need it. All she needed was grit, a copper boiler, and a mechanic named George Butters.
Together, they created the world's first practical, pressurized dishwasher and secured a patent in 1886. Restaurants and hotels jumped on board, and though it took a while for homes to catch on, Josephine had already sparked a revolution.
Her company? It grew into KitchenAid. Yes, that KitchenAid. And today, every time we load a dishwasher, we owe a nod to Josephine's refusal to wait for someone else to get it done. She didn't just solve a problem. She shattered the mold for innovators everywhere.
In 2006, Josephine was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Talk about washing away the competition.
Thanks to you, Josephine, we can load the dishwasher, enjoy its gentle hum and crack on with the next big idea.
SOURCES
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josephine_Cochrane
At Wellspring, we empower breakthroughs. Our solutions give innovators the tools, insights, and confidence to turn bold ideas into game-changing realities. Every great innovation begins with a decision to change the game. Will you be next?
