CUISINART MILESTONES

OVER 40 YEARS OF CULINARY EXCELLENCE

April 2017

1971 Enamored by a demonstration of a restaurant food preparation machine in France, Carl Sontheimer and his wife, Shirley, are convinced they can adapt this technology to a useful home appliance for Americans. Sontheimer, a retired MIT-trained physicist and accomplished cook, makes a daring decision to jump into the highly competitive housewares business with his own company called Cuisinart. The company would initially import an exclusive line of top-quality stainless steel cookware.

1972 Stettheimer begins tinkering with the prototype of the food preparation machine, taking it apart and making refinements. He lengthens the feed tube, improves the cutting blade and discs, and adds safety features to meet American standards.

1973 With great expectations, the Sontheimers unveil the “Food Processor” at the National Housewares Exposition in Chicago.

By subscribing, you acknowledge that you have read and agreed to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.