History
The first kettles were used in ancient Mesopotamia for purposes other than cooking. But over time these artistically decorated earthenware containers became more frequently utilized in the kitchen. Original kettles were typically made of iron and were placed directly over an open flame. This practice originated in China. Travelers used the kettles in order to produce potable water for themselves.
The word kettle originates from Old Norse ketill "cauldron". The Old English spelling was ċetel with initial che- like 'cherry', Middle English (and dialectal) was chetel, both come (together with German Kessel "cauldron") ultimately from Germanic *katilaz, that was borrowed from Latin catillus, diminutive form of catīnus "deep vessel for serving or cooking food", which in various contexts is translated as "bowl", "deep dish", or "funnel".
During the 18th Century, the English began to manufacture tea pots out of earthenware, quickly replacing it with silver as materials became available. According to madehow.com, the development of tea kettles was in direct correlation with the evolution of the modern stove.
In the latter part of the 1800s, with the height of the industrial revolution, electric tea kettles were introduced as an alternative to stove top kettles. The first electric kettles had a warming chamber outside of the water source; but this was soon adapted in favor of an internal warming apparatus.
Modern tea kettles have been manufactured to include a variety of state of the art technology. Some electric kettles are now cordless with illumination capabilities. Whistling kettles are equipped with lightweight dynamics and heat-resistant handles.
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