History
The earliest waffle irons originated in the Low Countries around the 14th century. These waffle irons were constructed of two hinged iron plates connected to two long, wooden handles. The plates were often made to imprint elaborate patterns on the waffle, including coat of arms, landscapes, or religious symbols. The waffles would be baked over the hearth fire.
In 1869, American Cornelius Swarthout (also spelled as Swartwout) patented the first U.S. waffle iron. This iron sat atop wood or gas stoves. The cast iron plates were joined by a hinge that swiveled in a cast iron collar. In 1891 John Kleimbach, a German immigrant living in Shamokin, Pennsylvania became a traveling salesman of waffles after fashioning an iron for the Mansion House Hotel. Kliembach sold waffles for a penny each or ten cents for a dozen. He was a sensation at the Chicago World's Fair.
In 1911, General Electric produced its first electric waffle iron, with the help of Thomas J. Steckbeck (see Abbottstown, Pennsylvania) Steckbeck is credited with designing the first-of-its-kind heating elements that used a built in thermostat to prevent overheating, a common problem with early versions. With his revolutionary design and General Electric funding, the first fully electric waffle iron rolled off the assembly line July 26, 1911. Later, as the waffle iron became more prevalent, designers worked on making the appliance more attractive on the countertop.
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