Mixmaster – Whipping Things Up in the Kitchen Since 1930

The Mixmaster is a kitchen appliance that was first introduced in 1930 by the Sunbeam Corporation. It was one of the first electric mixers in history designed for home use, and it quickly became a popular household appliance.

Invention

The Mixmaster was invented by Swedish immigrant Ivar Jepson, who was working as a designer for Sunbeam at the time. Jepson was inspired to create the Mixmaster after seeing a woman struggling to mix dough by hand. He believed that an electric mixer could make the task much easier, and he set out to design one.

Jepson’s design for the Mixmaster was simple and efficient. It consisted of a motor base, a mixing bowl, and two beaters. The beaters were attached to the motor base, and they rotated around the bowl, mixing the ingredients inside. The Mixmaster was also equipped with a variety of attachments, which could be used for many tasks:

Uses

Mix batters and doughs
Whip cream and egg whites
Make mayonnaise and salad dressings
Grind meat and vegetables
Shred cheese
Juice fruits and vegetables
Puree baby food

Personal Recollection

This writer remembers using his mother’s Mixmaster to make a chocolate sheet cake for his sixth grade baking contest in the 1950s. Through no fault of the appliance, the result had the weight and texture of a stack of composition shingles. Not to worry. We were allowed to hide our mistakes in our tummies.

The Mixmaster was an instant success when it was first introduced. It was praised for its ease of use, its versatility, and its affordability. The Mixmaster is still a popular appliance today.

Newer Gadgets

To some extent, the Mixmaster has been largely replaced by the blender. Blenders are more powerful than mix masters, and they can be used to blend a wider variety of foods. For example, blenders can be used to make smoothies, milkshakes, and frozen drinks, which are difficult or impossible to make with a Mixmaster. Additionally, blenders are typically less expensive than mix masters, which makes them more accessible to budget-minded consumers.

However, Mixmasters still have some advantages over blenders. For example, Mixmasters are better for mixing batters and doughs, and they can be used to make mayonnaise and salad dressings.

Owners of the Brand

In 1946, Sunbeam sold the rights to the Mixmaster to the Hamilton Beach Corporation. Here is the chain of ownership for the Mixmaster brand:

Sunbeam Corporation (1930-1946)
Hamilton Beach Corporation (1946-1969)
White Consolidated Industries (1969-1985)
Therma-Stor, Inc. (1985-1989)
Conair Corporation (1989-2005)
Jarden Corporation (2005-2016)
Newell Brands (2016 and Beyond)