The blender was a key appliance for the classic 1950s cocktail party.
Home appliances saw exciting changes during the 1950s. Manufacturers turned their attention to the home after the war and offered technological improvements and innovations in appliances to encourage new purchases for the home. But arguably, the biggest change and buying stimulus in 1950s home appliances involved the introduction of color. Does this Spark an idea?
Colors
In 1954, General Electric introduced colored home appliances, in addition to the standard white and chrome. The colors ranged from vibrant red, blue, yellow, turquoise and flamingo pink, to their lighter or pastel counterparts, such as pink and light blue. Colors could be matched or intermixed, and were available for both small and large appliances. Advertising of the time followed suit, selling these new colored appliances through vibrant full-color ads, in contrast to earlier black and white ads.
Small Appliances
The kitchen was the center of domestic activity in the 1950s, and small appliances of the time made preparation for family meals and general entertaining easier. Hand and stand mixers were essential to the 1950s kitchen, as was the blender. In fact, blenders were so necessary due to the popularity of the 1950s cocktail party that some were built into counters in newer kitchens. Toasters, kettles and coffee percolators were also staples in most 1950s kitchens.
Large Appliances
Stoves of the 1950s often featured a double oven and broiler; some were side-by-side with a range on top, while others were built-in with a separate counter range. Refrigerators of the time often featured the freezer on the bottom, but a top freezer was also popular. Still, many 1950s kitchens had smaller refrigerators and a separate "ice box," or freezer. Washers and dryers were increasingly available in the 1950s, but they were not staples of the time due to their high price tags.
Modern Retro Application
"Retro" style is growing in popularity, and 1950s home appliances are in high demand. Vintage 1950s appliances can be found at estate and garage sales, as well as through online auction websites. Modern appliances with the "retro" look, however, are widely available from major appliance manufacturers.
Tags: home appliances, 1950s cocktail, 1950s cocktail party, 1950s home, 1950s kitchens, cocktail party, often featured
