Waffle irons
Starting in the 14th century in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, waffle irons had two iron plates hinged together and two long wooden handles. Some waffle iron plates had patterns. Waffles have often been considered treats whenever they are served.
On August 24, 1869 Cornelius Swartwout got a patent for a stove-top waffle iron with the ability to flip the iron and cook the waffle on both sides.
Finally in 1911 General Electric created a prototype of an electric waffle iron and produced them commercially starting in 1918. Now we have standard sized waffle crannies, Belgian waffle squares with larger patterns, and even cartoon character patterns. Some people consider the airier Belgian squares to be better, partly because the crannies hold more butter, sweets, and syrup.
Bill Bowerman, an Oregon track coach, used his family’s waffle iron to experiment with rubber. He created a new track shoe sole in the process and founded Nike in 1971.
Suzanne Brangham, developer of Ramekins Culinary School & Inn in Sonoma, showcased the large double waffle iron on the right of the butcher’s block and laughingly called it her “double mammogram machine” while it was at Ramekins.
Check out the 5-function tabletop stove to the left of the double waffle maker. And all of the spices above bring spice to our lives, but please do not touch or whiff.