Toasters have evolved significantly since bread was first toasted over open fires. Early electric toasters in the 1900s had basic heating elements but issues with burning. The 1905 invention of the alloy nichrome allowed heating elements to reach high temperatures without damage. An important 1909 toaster design was the first successful electric model. However, problems remained such as not knowing when toast was ready and the risk of burns when flipping. In 1913, the "automatic toaster" solved this by automatically turning the toast without touching it. Further innovations like variable timers and a 1919 pop-up design helped prevent burnt toast. The invention of sliced bread in the late 1920s and 1930s increased toaster usage and led to the pop-up design becoming

1. Judith Lievens

2. History

3. HistoryWhy do people toast bread?To preserve itTo makeitcrunchierTo makeitsweeterTo makeit perfect for spreads

4. HistoryBefore the toaster bread was toasted over an open firewith the help of a variety of simple tools.

5. 1900s: electricity in all householdstherecame a wave of technologicalinnovationsand a demandforhouseholdappliances, one of themthe toaster

6. First: embeddedheating systemHistoryMarch1905Nichrome (Albert Marsh)Surface of toast needs to beheatedabove 154°CNeed of a wirethatreaches high temperatures without beingdamaged of starting a fire. Nichrome(alloy of nickel and chromium)

7. HistoryNumerous prototype electric toasters and in1909 : firstelectric toaster (Frank Shailorfor General Electrics)This was the firstcommerciallysuccessfulelectric toasterProblems: When is the toast ready?Flippingwithyour handsburns!

8. History1913 Lloyd and HazelCopeman: ‘‘automatic toaster’’Turning the toast without touchingitFive toaster relatedpatents ontheirnamesManycompaniespaidroyalties to Copemanorfindotherways to turn the toast.

9. HistoryProblem: burnt toastByincorporatingsprings and a variable timer: pop-up toaster onMay 29, 1919 by Charles StritePatentedonOctober 18, 1921Manufactured and sold to the Childs restaurant chainRedesign in 1926: “the Toastmaster” available to the public

10. HistoryMajor breakthrough in 1928presliced-loaf and sealed-bagprocessby Otto Frederick Rohwedder1930sliced Wonder Bread1933 more slicedthanunslicedbread Strite’spop-up made sensenow and became a standard in American households