Josephine and Her Dishwashing Machine

By Kate Hannigan, Sarah Green (Illustrator)

Discover the invention that revolutionized kitchens and the woman who made it happen.

4.1/5 Goodreads · 203 ratings

40 pages· 1,015 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud

$18.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

Meet Josephine Garis Cochrane, a determined innovator who transforms the tedious chore of dishwashing into a groundbreaking invention. Tired of cracked crockery, she embarks on a journey of trial and error, crafting a machine that changes kitchens forever. As her dishwasher whirs to life, Josephine secures a patent, making waves across America. Will her invention stand the test of time and redefine household chores? Dive into this inspiring tale of perseverance and ingenuity, celebrating a pioneering spirit that reshaped domestic life.

From the publisher

Celebrate the inventor of the dishwasher in this inspiring STEM/STEAM picture book biography about Josephine Garis Cochrane, the brains behind one of the world’s most-used kitchen appliances. Many Americans have a dishwasher in their kitchen. But who invented it? Meet Josephine Garis Cochrane: entrepreneur, innovator, girlboss. Washing dishes is a pain–it leaves Josephine’s cups cracked, her dishes dinged, and her chowder bowls chipped. She’d rather be picking flowers, frosting cakes, or playing piano than dealing with cracked crockery. What to do about a chore that’s icky, destructive, and time-consuming? Josephine tackles this task the modern way: she makes a machine to do it for her! She tinkers and tests, and perseveres through fizzles and flops–until she has a government patent for her invention, and there are whirring, whizzing, bubbling dishwashers making a splash across America. This charming tale includes an author’s note, a list of notable women inventors, a timeline of fascinating inventions, and a list of sources.

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