History of Appliance Innovation

History of Appliance Innovation

GE transforms imagination into exceptional products. Learn more about our tradition of innovation and the many appliance "firsts" GE has unveiled.

1900 - 1949

1907 - First full line of heating and cooking devices
1925 - First hermetically sealed domestic refrigerator
1927 - First GE Monitor Top refrigerator
  - First direct-drive dishwasher with revolutionary system still in use today
1928 - First Calrod electric range
1930 - First room air conditioner
1935 - First food waste disposer: the Disposall
1936 - First front loading single-rack dishwasher
1947 - First completely automatic clothes washer
  - First two-door refrigerator-freezer combination
1949 - Ten experimental models of the first "heat pump" are installed around the country

 
1950 - 1969

1954 - First washer/dryer combination unit
  - First automatic portable dishwasher: the Mobile Maid®
1955 - The Filter-Flo System for automatic clothes washers is pioneered. It removes lint from wash as it is generated.
  - GE engineering invents the safety start switch for use in home clothes dryers
1956 - First toaster oven: the T-93 Toast-R-Oven
  - The first automatic drying termination cycle is devised for clothes dryers
1957 - First commercially feasible combination spray, steam and dry iron
1958 - First automatic, electric can-opener
  - Rotary compressors are developed for use in room air conditioners
1961 - The use of a powerful, compact motor and rechargeable battery leads to the introduction of an automatic toothbrush and is the forerunner of the development of other handheld appliances such as hair dryers and an electric slicing knife
1962 - The mini-basket washing system is introduced to improve small load washing
  - First package terminal air conditioner: the Zoneline®
  - First foamed-in-place urethane insulated refrigerator
1963 - First self-cleaning oven: the P-7. In developing this product GE engineers were granted some 100 patents
1967 - First combination motor and water circulating pump developed for the dishwasher, whose improved efficiency reduces energy and operating costs to the consumer
1969 - First custom through-the-door refrigerator with ice and water dispenser

 
1970 - 1989

1971 - First portable room air conditioner: the Carry-Cool®
1974 - First molded thermoplastic dishwasher tub:PermaTuff
1977 - Microprocessor computerized cooking control is introduced to the fast food restaurant industry in the Dimension II series of fryers
1978 - First over-the-range microwave oven: the SpaceMaker®
1982 - First 24-hour-a-day, 7 day-a-week consumer information service: GE Answer Center® toll free number is 800-626-2000
1984 - GE's product innovations in major appliances include: electronic refrigerators that "beep" if a door is left ajar, dishwashers that can be programmed to "remember" when to start, and microwave ovens that fit under a kitchen wall cabinet with voice message memo system.
1987 - First complete line of premium built-in appliances for professionally designed custom kitchens: Monogram®

 
1990 - 1999

1992 - First complete line of stylish, integrated appliances specifically designed to rejuvenate the standard kitchen: GE Profile™
1994 - First 30 cu. ft. freestanding side-by-side refrigerator, world's largest and most space efficient: the GE Profile™ 30
1995 - GE Profile™ Washer — The Largest Capacity Washer You Can Buy
  - First "smart" dishwasher: auto-sensing gauges soiled dishes
1996 - Largest capacity "built-in style" refrigerator
1997 - First major appliance manufacturer to offer a complete line of water softening and filtration systems: GE SmartWater™
  - "Concept" appliances include a web-enabled refrigerator, a microwave that scans bar codes, and an Advantium® Oven that recognizes voice commands
1998 - Spectra™ Oven is introduced as the most accurate oven in America.
1999 - Advantium™ - A revolutionary new oven with Speedcook technology delivers great tasting food in an average of 1/4 the time of a conventional oven - with no pre-heating
1999 - GE Triton™ dishwashers are introduced as the quietest dishwasher in America.

 
2000 - Present

2000 - GE Profile Arctica™ - GE launched the Arctica refrigerator with CustomCool™ technology. It was the first refrigerator in the market to provide consumers with speed chilling and speed thawing capabilities.
2003 - GE Profile Harmony™ Clothes Care System - First washer to communicate electronically with the dryer. The washer talks. The dryer listens. The result is better clothes care.
2003 - GE Profile™ Ovens with Trivection™ Technology - First combination of thermal, convection and microwave energies. Speed modes allow the full-size ovens to cook foods up to five times faster than convention ovens.
2005 - GE Profile™ Dishwasher with SmartDispense™ Technology - First dishwasher to hold entire 45-ounce bottle of liquid or gel detergent and dispense that detergent based on water hardness, cycle selection, and soil level of the dishes.
2005 - GE Monogram Wine Vault - GE launched Monogram Wine Vault, which holds nearly 1,100 bottles of wine. It was the first of its kind to come with an electronic Cellar Management System — an all-in-one inventory system including a 15-inch touch-screen, bar-code scanner, label printer, and software, which helps wine connoissuers manage, store, and protect their liquid assets.

Historic Photos

1910 - Hotpoint Electric Range

1910 - Hotpoint® Electric Range
Hotpoint Electric Range, 1910 - The first electric range is manufactured.

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1927 - Monitor Top Refrigerator

1927 - Monitor Top Refrigerator
The Electric Refrigeration Department is established and begins the production of the "Monitor Top" hermetically sealed refrigerator. Its all-steel cabinet is another GE innovation.

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1947 - Two-Door Refrigerator-Freezer

1947 - Two-Door Refrigerator-Freezer
The Erie plant produces the first two-door refrigerator freezer combination.

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1954 - Mobile Maid

1954 - Mobile Maid®
The first truly automatic portable dishwasher, the Mobile Maid®, is shipped from the recently completed (1952) Appliance Park facility in Louisville, Kentucky.

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1969 - Through-The-Door Water and Ice Refrigerator

1969 - Through-The-Door Water and Ice Refrigerator
Appliance Park announces the first side-by-side refrigerator-freezer with an automatic dispenser for ice cubes and chilled water through the door.

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1971 - Carry-Cool

1971 - Carry-Cool®
The Carry-Cool® portable room air conditioner is introduced. Its light-weight, rugged construction brings cool air in a convenient package at a cost previously unattainable.

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