Josephine Cochrane

Early Life and Family Background

Born on March 8, 1839, in Ashtabula County, Ohio, Josephine Cochrane would grow up to become an American inventor whose creation would change kitchens forever. Her invention of the first successful hand-powered dishwasher not only made household chores easier but also paved the way for women inventors in a male-dominated field.

Josephine Cochrane was born into a family of innovators. Her father, John Garis, was a civil engineer who invented a hydraulic pump for draining marshes. Her great-grandfather, John Fitch, had obtained a patent for a steamboat design in 1791. This legacy of innovation would later inspire Josephine’s own inventive spirit.

After her mother’s early death, Josephine was raised in Valparaiso, Indiana. Her father ensured she received a good education, sending her to a private high school. When that school burned down, she moved to Shelbyville, Illinois, to live with her aunt and complete her education.

Marriage and Social Life

At the age of 19, on October 13, 1858, Josephine married William A. Cochran, a prosperous dry goods merchant and local Democratic Party politician. The couple had two children: a son named Hallie, who tragically died at age two, and a daughter, Katharine.

In 1870, the Cochrans moved into a mansion in Shelbyville, where Josephine became known for hosting grand dinner parties. It was during these social gatherings that the seed of her famous invention was planted.

The Birth of the Dishwasher

Josephine’s frustration with the tedious task of washing dishes, especially when her fine china would chip during cleaning, led her to envision a mechanical solution. She famously declared, “If nobody else is going to invent a dishwashing machine, I’ll do it myself.”

Her husband’s death in 1883 left Josephine with significant debt and only $1,535.59 (equivalent to about $47,000 today). This financial pressure turned her invention from a convenient idea into a necessity.

Inventing Process and Challenges

Working in a shed behind her house, Josephine designed a machine with wire compartments sized for various dishes. These compartments sat on a wheel inside a copper boiler. A motor turned the wheel while hot, soapy water sprayed onto the dishes.

Josephine Cochrane faced numerous challenges as a female inventor in the 19th century. She struggled to find men willing to follow her instructions, often having to prove her ideas were superior despite her lack of formal mechanical training.

Success and Recognition

After filing her patent application on December 31, 1885, Josephine received U.S. Patent No. 355,139 on December 28, 1886, for her “Dish Washing Machine.” She founded the Garis-Cochrane Manufacturing Company to produce her invention.

Her big break came at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, where her dishwasher won the prize for “best mechanical construction, durability and adaptation to its line of work.” This recognition led to orders from restaurants and hotels, where the machine’s practicality was immediately apparent.

Legacy and Later Years

In 1897, Josephine renamed her company to Cochran’s Crescent Washing Machine Company. While the dishwasher initially found more success in commercial settings, it laid the groundwork for the household appliance we know today.

Josephine Cochran passed away on August 3, 1913, at the age of 74 in Chicago, Illinois. Her company would eventually evolve into KitchenAid, now part of the Whirlpool Corporation.

Josephine Cochran’s story is one of perseverance, innovation, and breaking gender barriers. Her invention not only made kitchen work easier but also opened doors for future women inventors, proving that necessity truly is the mother of invention.