Did you know that the first electric toaster was invented in 1893 by Crompton & Company? It was called the Eclipse, and it looked like an early version of today's toaster ovens. The first commercially successful toaster was the Toastmaster, invented in 1926 by George Schneider and Charles Strite. Another interesting fact is that the first electric washing machine was invented in 1908 by Alva J. Fisher. It revolutionized the way people did laundry and saved hours of time compared to hand washing clothes. The microwave oven, now a staple in most kitchens, was invented by Percy Spencer in 1946. He discovered that microwaves could be used to cook food when a candy bar in his pocket melted while he was near a radar magnetron. The first electric refrigerator was invented by General Electric in 1911. Before this, iceboxes were commonly used to keep food cool. This invention allowed for a more reliable and consistent way to store perishable items. Lastly, the first vacuum cleaner was invented in 1869 by Ives W. McGaffey. It was a hand-pumped contraption that provided a more efficient way to clean floors compared to sweeping. Today, vacuum cleaners come in a variety of styles and sizes for different cleaning needs.