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Period: to
Pre-modern
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The Assembly Line
The assembly line, invented by Henry Ford in 1901, revolutionized the way products were made all across America. Companies were able to standardize their products and produce them faster. This helped people manage their homes more efficently too. The assembly line led to lower costs so budgets went a lot further and were easier to manage. Products for the home were also of better quality. People could predict how long home items would last and have more control over their purchases. -
Bungalows
Bungalows were 1-1 1/2 story homes built in the early 1900s. These homes were great for newly married couples or smaller families. Unlike the common Victorian style homes, Bunaglows were built smaller and much more easily. Bunaglow kits, sold in catalogs at the time, also let home owners order their own Bungalows. -
Paper Towels
Before paper towels were invented, cloths were used to wipe up spilled food, blow noses, clean counter tops, dry hands after washing, and a multitude of other things. As you can imagine, this system increased the spread of disease and the amount of laundry. When paper towels were invented they greatly reduced both. Children could now blow their noises on disposable towels rather than using the same thing they will use to dry their hands. This made a mother’s job much easier. -
Hoover Vacuum
Imagine, as a homeowner, how much of your time is spent taking rugs outside to beat all the dirt out of them. The invention of the vacuum changed all that. Even though they were big contraptions at the time, vacuum allowed homeowners to clean their rugs and carpet inside the home. This saved a large amount of time that could now be spent taking care of other things. -
Calrod
In the 1800s fire was used to roast, boil, and stew meats and other foods for meal time. As you can imagine, this took a great deal of time to not only put together but to cook. With the invention of the calrod, things got much easier. The calrod is a heating element that hooks up to a home's electricity. Home appliances like the stove (invented around the same time period) used calrods in place of fire to cook food. This allowed homeowners to cook for faster and more effecively. -
Pop-up Toaster
No one likes burnt toast right? Well before the pop-up toaster was invented, in order to prevent burning bread, someone has to keep an eye on it while it cooked and someone had to manually turn the bread! The invention of the pop-up toaster changed all that. Now, someone could pop some bread in the toast and continue to do other things around the house while it cooked. This helped homeowners multi-task in the kitchen. -
Refridgerator
If you've ever heard your grandparent or great grandparent talk about an ice-box, they probably remember the invention of the refridgerator. Before the fridge was invented homes had boxes where they would store their food. Large ice blocks would be deilvered to their homes and stored in the boxes to keep the food cooled. However, the temperature in the iceboxes always veried and were never reliable. The refrigerator changed all that. People were now able to keep their food fresher longer! -
Dishwasher
The dishwasher was another home applicance invention that cut housekeeping time. The first domestic dishwasher was invented in 1924 by an English inventor. This took cleaning dishes to a new level. Instead of washing every single dish by hand, homeowners could now wash them all at once. Even better, they could get other home duties done while the dishes we being washed. -
Fluorescent Lamp
As the use of electrity in homes increased, so did the number of electric home appliance inventions. Light, of ourse, was no different. Although the fluorescent light had been in development since the late 1800s, it didn't near completion until the late 1920s. The fluorescent light allowed homes to be lit with electricity rather than candles or fire. Homeowners no longer had to purchase candles and matches and they certainly worried less about their homes catching on fire. -
Clothes Dryer
Before the clothes dryer was invented, wet clothes had to be hung outside on a clothing line. I'm sure nothing was more frustrating than cleaning clothes just to have the wind blow dirt into them as the hung outside. Enter the clothes dryer! Now, homeowners could dry their clothes inside the home rather than outside. At first dryers were hand operated but eventaully people were able to throw their clothes in the dryer and walk away to complete other tasks. -
Television
The television, formally introduced during the World's Fair, became common place in the home in the 1940s. This changed how homes were managed from a consumer point of view. During World War II especially, tv commericals were used to promote buying bonds and helping the war effort. Eventually, like today, tv was used to push products to homeowners. This changed the way people decided what they need to purchase and how they shopped. -
Period: to
Modern
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Weber Grill
There's nothing more American than barbeque. Since the invention of fire, we have figured out how to cook our food. Grilling actually started indoors, also known as broiling. However, as more people started enjoying camping and outdoor activites, the outdoor grill was created. Grilling outside the home took off in the 1950s with the invention of the Weber grill. Backyard BBQs became an American staple for socializing in the warmer weather. -
Automatic Coffee Maker
Coffee has been around for hundreds and hundreds of years. However, in the 1800s, in order to make coffee you had to make it on a stove type setting. Coffee makers developed over time but it was the development of the automatic coffee maker than allowed people to set it and forget it. Just like the toaster, homeowners were able to start a pot of coffee and then work on other things. When people had a dinner party, they were able to start a pot of coffee and continue socializing with their guests -
TV Dinner
Introduced at the time TVs were becoming common place in the home, TV dinners transformed the way Americans eat. First, they made meal time so much simplier. Instead of cooking many different dishes, a person could pop one of these in the oven and voila! These dinners were the first step toward the non-traditional style dinners most Americans have nowadays. Now familes with kids always on the run often rely on fast food or quick prep meals like this in the evenings. -
The Pill
If there was only one invention that defined "home management" it would be The Pill. Birth control in pill form was introduced in 1954. The controversial contraceptive allowed women to control when and if they got pregnant. This was a major step forward in family planning. Wives were expected to take care of their husbands, this included sexually. The idea that you could avoid pregnancy during sex with a pill was revolutionizing. -
Permanent Press Fabric
Permanent press fabric was an invention that helped both men and women. This was a fabric that was wrinkle resistant. You could wash a shirt, or pant, throw it in the dryer and not have to iron it afterwards. Housewives and single men everyone rejoiced as they had one less chore to worry about while getting clothes from the hamper to the hanger. -
Electric Sewing Machine
In both the home and the workplace, the electronic sewing machine made a big impact. Electric sewing machines allowed companies to mass produce their products. This meant more clothes were available for a lower cost. This was great news for the house hold budget. In the home, sewing because a lot easier and quicker because they machines didn't have to be worked by hand. The electric sewing machine changed the game when it came to how we made and purchased our clothing items. -
Microwave Oven
The microwave oven was yet another step to quicker meals and better home management. The ever so popular TV dinners could now be cooked in half the time in a microwave rather than an oven. Again, cutting prep time down and allowing more time for family. It also made reheating foods a breeze. Leftovers could be heated up in the microwave for an easy meal or snack the next day. The microwave is now a staple in American homes. -
Food Processor
When it was first introduced, the food processor was thought of as nothing but an expensive blender. However, the food processor soon became a home staple (once Julia Child got involved). It allowed homeowners to chop, dice, slice, and even blender foods in a short amount of time rather than by doing it all seperately by hand. This cut prep time for meals down and left more time to spend with family. -
Post-its
The post-it note changed the way we left messages, labeled things and even communicated. Post-it notes are repositional notes that can be used for an unlimited number of things. Parents use them to leave notes for the children, label left overs in the fridge, make grocery lists, etc. They have become an essential home organizational tool. -
Bluetooth
Bluetooth technology, although invented in 1998, didn't make it's way into homes until the 21st century. Now bluetooth is a way homeowners can control all aspects of their home. From the touch of a button they can turn on and off lights, program their tvs, change the theromostats, lock doors, and more. Families can use bluetooth to share photos, videos, and even notes. -
Hybrid Cars
The electric car has a long history dating back to even the 1800s. However, they didn't make huge leaps into the lives of Americans until the 21st century. In 2008, the United States entered into a recession and gas prices sky rocketed. Some cities saw prices hit over $4 a gallon. Hybrid cars, first invented in 2000, were soon everywhere. Many homeowners turn to hybrid cars to help save money on both gas and airline tickets. They also helped homeowners join in on the going green trend. -
Period: to
Post-modern
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Roomba
The invention of the Roomba in 2002 allowed home owners to go completely hands free when vacuuming. The roomba is a self propelled cordless vacuum that uses sensors to clean your home. The homeowner has to do nothing other than pressing start and stop. The rooma can also be used to entertain one's cats and babies for hours on end. -
Online Banking
Online banking revoutionised the way home owners managed their finances. Before you would get your credit card statement and account balance in the mail (and you still can if you choose). You would have to write a check to the company and mail it out in order to pay your credit card. Now, you can pay your credit card, check your balance, and transfer funds all with the click of a mouse -
Automatic Shower Timer
The invention of the automatic shower time allowed homeowners to regulate how much water they were using while in the shower. For example, inCalifornia, where they are experiencing severe drought, home owners install devices such as these to help preserve water in their cities. They can also help lower water bill costs leading to better home budgeting. -
Kindle
The Kindle tablet, invented by Amazon, brought about the first electronic reader. People could download several books onto their Kindle at once. As tablets developed, many people ditched their hard and paper back books to join the electronic tread. This meant no more shelves and shelves of books in homes taking up valuable storage space. This gave homeowners more space in their homes for other things. -
iPhone
Hands down, the number one home manager of the 21st century is the smart phone. The smart phone was invented with the release of the iPhone in 2007. Now, smart phones help manage our entire lives. From our homes, to communication between family, finances, work, etc. The iPhone is the ultimate home management tool. -
Pinterest
Pinterst, invented in 2009, is a social networking website and app that allows users to share photos, reciepes, crafts, and other ideas. Pinterest has also helped home owners share interior design ideas, parenting tips, budgeting solutions, and much more. If someone is looking for a home management solution, Pinterest is a go to website. -
Petzi
Pet owners often worry about leaving their pets at home alone all day. Since most employers don't allow pets in the workplace, people had no other choice. Some people even buy mulitple pets in order to keep their other pets company. With the invention of the Petzi, homeowners can now interact with their at home pets and even give them treats. Homeowners can also watch to see if Fido gets into the trash when they aren't home. The Petzi allows homeowners and pets seperation anxiety rest easy. -
Wearable Baby Monitors
The risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) caused many new moms to toss in turn at night, constantly checking on their little ones as they slept. The invention of the smart phone led to inventions such as the Mimo. Wearable baby monitors allows parents to monitor their babies while they are sleeping and alarm them if soemthing goes wrong. This allows moms to sleep soundly, at least until the next feeding.
