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Stephen Poplawski invented the first bottom-blade container blender in 1922. He used it to mix soda fountain drinks.
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This essential small kitchen appliance helps trim
preparation time by
blending, chopping and puréeing foods in an
instant. A typical stationary upright blender has a removable glass
container with short, rotating blades at the bottom. The container fits
on top of a base that houses an internal electric motor to turn the blades
and an external push-button control pad to adjust the speed.
A Little Bite of History
The invention of the blender is credited to Racine, Wisconsin
businessman Stephen Poplawski. In 1922, he created the first blender
with spinning blades at the bottom, using it to make soda fountain
drinks.
In 1935, Fred Osius, a founder of the Hamilton Beach
Manufacturing Company, improved on Poplawski's idea and began marketing his blender
with famous band leader Fred Waring. In addition to whipping up frozen
drinks at home, the "Waring Blender" turned out to be an important new tool in
hospitals. Dr. Jonas Salk used it to develop the vaccine for polio.
Usage Tips
When it comes to using your blender, the culinary possibilities are
endless. In addition to crushing ice and mixing
milkshakes and
smoothies, blenders can be used to make fresh salsas, classic
vinaigrettes, creamy soups and velvety sauces. A few
quick pulses can smooth out lumpy gravy, turn day-old bread into
bread crumbs or cookies into a delicious pie crust. You can also chop nuts
and vegetables or grind your own
coffee, spices and superfine
sugar
that will instantly dissolve in a cup of tea.
For best results:
• Blend large quantities of food in several small batches for better control.
• In general, cut foods into 1/2- to 1-inch pieces before adding.
• When chopping
herbs,
garlic,
bread crumbs, nuts, etc., make sure the container and blades are completely dry.
• To ensure your ingredients will be uniformly mixed, add liquid ingredients first.
