Answer by
jwalk (389)
Josephine Cochrane (she added the "e") designed the first dishwasher that actually worked well, in Shelbyville, Illinois, in 1886. She hired a mechanic, George Butters, to build one according to her plans, and then started making them in a contracted factory. At first the machines were bought by restaurants and hotels in Illinois. Her company eventually became known as KitchenAid.