Let’s go down memory lane and recall the 1950s. Think back to the days of post-war prosperity and how American kitchens transformed and modernized. New inventions were created to assist ‘mom’ in her daily chores. From pastel appliances to devices that took the drudgery out of preparing meals, all became part of the kitchen to express the American Dream. This was the time when the heart of the home changed.
Table of Contents
- 1 1. The Iconic Stand Mixer
- 2 2. The Chrome Canister Set
- 3 3. The Electric Percolator
- 4 4. The Formica Dinette Set
- 5 5. The Refrigerator with Built-in Butter Keeper
- 6 6. The Pyrex Collection
- 7 7. The Wall-Mounted Can Opener
- 8 8. The Lazy Susan
- 9 9. The Vinyl Floor Mat
- 10 10. The Recipe Box
- 11 11. The Aluminum Tumblers
- 12 12. The Spice Rack
- 13 13. The Bread Box
- 14 14. The Kitchen Timer
- 15 15. The Electric Hand Mixer
- 16 16. The Napkin Holder
- 17 17. The Dish Drainer
- 18 18. The Cookie Jar
- 19 19. The Jadeite Collection
- 20 20. The Kitchen Radio
1. The Iconic Stand Mixer
The centerpiece of the kitchen was the stand mixer, especially in the pastel colors of pink and turquoise. These machines were capable of more than just making cake batter. With the right attachment, she could also prepare ground meat and sliced veggies as well as sharpen any blade she had. A countertop that displayed this stand mixer was an indication of the wealth and status the housewife had in the neighborhood.
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2. The Chrome Canister Set
With lovely script writing of the words “Flour,” “Sugar,” “Coffee,” and “Tea” in each can, it was flaunting how modern and organized the kitchen was.
3. The Electric Percolator
Before the coffee machines took over, morning brews were made using an electric percolator. The sound of the coffee brewing was the symphony of every home. These devices were the epitome of elegance when hosting guests. Caffeine lovers would use these to serve as a must-have in the kitchen.
4. The Formica Dinette Set
Every 1950’s kitchen included a Formica dinette set. Their tables were space-age style. They were great for homework and breakfast. They were heat resistance and easy to clean. Chrome trim and vinyl seats were highly colorful and eye catching. The atomic starburst pattern was one of the popular designs.
5. The Refrigerator with Built-in Butter Keeper
1950’s refrigerators offered modern features such as an automatic defroster, a water dispenser, and a butter compartment in the door. They also had a special place for eggs. They were also larger than 1940’s fridges.
6. The Pyrex Collection
All the mixing bowls and casserole dishes by Pyrex provided a high standard lifestyle. Their pink gooseberry design and turquoise snowflake pattern dishes were passed on to generations. The colorful mixing bowels also housed multiple purposes. They served salad at picnics and mixed the batter in the bowels.
7. The Wall-Mounted Can Opener
The wall-mounted can opener was a symbol of the kitchen. They were installed next to the cabinets, These devices opened any can with ease. Each design made it easy to tuck the device away and that distinctive cranking noise could be heard during any meal prep.
8. The Lazy Susan
The Lazy Susan revolutionized kitchen corner cabinets. With its rotating shelves, it became easy enough to grab a jar of spices or a can of soup from deep within the corner. The addition of a Lazy Susan to a kitchen meant that the kitchen was modern and fully equipped in the eyes of the kitchen builders of the 1950s. Some Lazy Susans were even built with extra levels so that more jars could be stored.
9. The Vinyl Floor Mat
Geometric patterned kitchen mats were designed to go with a kitchen color scheme, so if a kitchen had an atomic design pattern on the kitchen curtain, the floor mats would usually follow suit. Floor mats would also become a part of the kitchen decor, and often went in front of the stove to become a more comfortable standing surface for the chef instead of the cold tiles.
10. The Recipe Box
Before Pinterest, people would keep recipe boxes filled with cards of peoples handwritten recipes and newspaper clippings of cooking instructions. The boxes would often be decorated like a kitchen to preserve the aesthetic and would have alphabetical dividers to sort the recipes.
11. The Aluminum Tumblers
The colored aluminum tumblers served ice cold beverages on those hot summer days. Each set came with a variety of colors that were anodized gold, pink, blue and green. They had a metallic taste to them and they were practically indestructible. They also kept drinks cold and were refreshing.
12. The Spice Rack
A rotating spice rack was the ultimate bragging right when it came to show-off culinary skills. Racks came filled with jars of various spices. As light hit the short jars, the rack’s sparkle drew even more attention to the counter where it sat, and spiced up people’s interest in cooking.
13. The Bread Box
A bread box with a metal, roll-top door helped keep bread fresh without preservatives. They paired well with the kitchen color scheme and fit lots of bread, plus dinner rolls. The satisfying sound of the door swoosh defined 50s kitchens.
14. The Kitchen Timer
Timers were an important tool for every kitchen. Ticking helped to keep time for meals and the timers would ring when finished. Most had a magnet to stick to the fridge.
15. The Electric Hand Mixer
Electric mixers made baking easy for many housewives. The lightweight mixers came in a variety of stylish colors and were perfect for small mixing jobs. The removable beaters and designed heel rests were the perfect example of modern functionality.
16. The Napkin Holder
The chrome napkin holders with weighted arms were once a staple on every kitchen table. They often had fun designs, such as atomic stars or other kitchen-themed decorations. They also kept paper napkins from blowing away at summer meals with the windows open. Some of these holders even had little salt and pepper shakers that were built right into the base.
17. The Dish Drainer
Before automatic dish washers were available and widely used, kitchens relied on the simple yet effective drip-drying rack. \n\nThese racks came in a variety of colors to suit the preferences of the user and the design of the kitchen. Accompanying drain boards protected the counter surfaces underneath, and rubber-ends kept the dishes from being chipped and scratched. Additionally, rubber-coated compartments organized the racks and houses anything from plates to tumblers and glassware.
18. The Cookie Jar
A ceramic cookie jar shaped like a smiling chef, housewife, or friendly animal was not just craft storage. It was decorative container art housed in the kitchen. And, those cookie jars were an endless source of temptation to children and of course adults to sneak a sweet treat outside the scheduled mealtime or eating time and between meals. That distinctive sound of the lid being carefully and quietly replaced was a common indicator of a cookie thief!
19. The Jadeite Collection
Many kitchens in the 1950s cherished and kept distinctive jadeite glass dishes and accessories in their kitchens. Fire-king glass jadeite dishes and accessories were both beautiful and practical, and a favorite. Premiums were offered as giveaway products because they were so popular in grocery stores because they were so highly priced from the glass mixing bowls and coffee mugs.
20. The Kitchen Radio
A plastic kitchen radio offered entertainment and company while performing household chores. These compact and pastel colored appliances matched the kitchen decor and offered a personal kitchen companion. Best of all, they provided tunes and the latest hits and soap operas to provide distraction and engage the mind of the housewife and help company while she attended the tasks to The Romance of Helen Trent or Arthur Godfrey show.
