COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 3639

Household Appliances, Not Elsewhere Classified

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

14companies1904–1968founding years14still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedA. O. Smith CorporationFoundedA. O. Smith Corporation
1904
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedAktiebolaget ElectroluxFoundedAktiebolaget Electrolux
1919
FoundedKitchenAidFoundedKitchenAid
1924
FoundedMaytag CorporationFoundedMaytag Corporation
1925
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
FoundedBrother Industries, Ltd.FoundedBrother Industries, Ltd.
1934
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedMoulinex S.A.FoundedMoulinex S.A.
1953
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedMr. Coffee, Inc.FoundedMr. Coffee, Inc.
1968
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

A. O. Smith Corporation →
Active · founded 1904
A.
A. O. Smith Corporation →
Active · founded 1904
A.
Aktiebolaget Electrolux →
Active · founded 1919 · Sweden
To the average consumer, the name Electrolux says two things: vacuum cleaners and refrigerators.
Aktiebolaget Electrolux →
Active · founded 1919 · Sweden
To the average consumer, the name Electrolux says two things: vacuum cleaners and refrigerators.
KitchenAid →
Active · founded 1924 · United States
KitchenAid manufactures and markets a full line of premium-price home appliances, including microwave and conventional…
KitchenAid →
Active · founded 1924 · United States
KitchenAid manufactures and markets a full line of premium-price home appliances, including microwave and conventional…
Maytag Corporation →
Active · founded 1925
Maytag Corporation is one of the leading appliance manufacturers in the United States.
Maytag Corporation →
Active · founded 1925
Maytag Corporation is one of the leading appliance manufacturers in the United States.
Brother Industries, Ltd. →
Active · founded 1934 · Japan
Brother Industries, Ltd., is one of the world's top manufacturers of electronic office machines.
Brother Industries, Ltd. →
Active · founded 1934 · Japan
Brother Industries, Ltd., is one of the world's top manufacturers of electronic office machines.
Moulinex S.A. →
Active · founded 1953 · France
Moulinex S.A., the once proud leader of the European small household appliance market, has seen troubled times for most…
Moulinex S.A. →
Active · founded 1953 · France
Moulinex S.A., the once proud leader of the European small household appliance market, has seen troubled times for most…
Mr. Coffee, Inc. →
Active · founded 1968
Best known for its pioneering and market-leading automatic drip coffeemakers, Mr.
Mr. Coffee, Inc. →
Active · founded 1968
Best known for its pioneering and market-leading automatic drip coffeemakers, Mr.
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