American Kitchen Revolution - Research Paper Example

THE EVOLUTION AND TRANSFORMATION OF THE AMERICAN KITCHEN College The Evolution and transformation of the American kitchen As time goes by, there are a lot of architectural transformations that have been seen in the American kitchen right. This work focuses on the various transformational changes that have transpired in the American societal set up as far as kitchen and its associated appliances are concerned. This encompasses a lot of tangential history dating as old as history itself. The kind of modern kitchen cabinets and modules we see today were a lot more different from their precursors. The Architectural design upon which these works were laid depended on the North American basics and eclectic combinations of European architectural techniques, manipulations, and practices (Smith, 1976: 76). The preliminary commencement of American architecture dates back to the regal tradition of the United States and the practices that transpired as a result of the evacuation of European background. The American melting vessel grew and both the edifice and planning practices advanced. This in turn led to the dawn of the colonial style which became the cornerstone of the architectural progress of the United States. The outstanding consideration of these designs focus on the balance between classical and gothic ideals. Some of the common European monuments like Gloucestershire serve as benchmark for this piece of work. It therefore goes without objection that the kitchen is inextricably correlated to this discovery. The hearth remains in various historical sites helps to establish the dating of this. Instead of the fridges of the 19th century, root cellars were used to maintain the cold temperature of foods during summers and offered a conducive environment for preservation of food stuffs during winter (Smith, 1976: 76). Another preservative method during the ancient kitchen era was the smoke house. It was very vital for preservation of both fish and meat. The early hearths invented were either of clay or stone origin. The hearths could either be deep or shallow, depending on the size of the homesteads. The fire places had fixed revolving spits and clips that could be used to hang meat. This had to be substituted with the wake of change though gradual. It came with the enactment of the sociological evolution which authorized the open air kitchen integrated with living room. Care was however taken not to contaminate the whole apartment. The later days ushered in the contemporary styles where a combination of the sobriety, clever storage solutions and cutting edge technology was put in place (Smith, 1976: 76). Mr. Wright coined the word ‘’usonia’’ to guide the architectural designs in the USA as per the ideals of the American democratic ideals. This was meant for the vision of the moderated small and affordable houses then. These houses had in them central hearths, open kitchens, and window walls. They assumed the horizontal plan reminiscent of a storey building. The kitchen largely remained impervious by the many architectural plans and progress that there were during the middle ages. Only open fire places served this purpose. However old these kitchens may sound or look, the old kitchen houses were built together with the main house described as palace in Europe and had such inclusions as arms, flax, silver spoons, brass, pewter and iron among other stuffs and therefore served their intended role. They also had counter tops made from linoleum. They were superb structures compared to the small wooden houses that dotted some of the ancient fields. They had completed and well revamped gates, bright gardens, a fine canal, offices, orchards, and walks. Pertaining to this urge of putting up a desired kitchen, there emerged a major bottleneck which was the establishment of an appealing place for the location of a kitchen cabinet. This was meant for storage of food and pots away from sight. One known appliance of the time was the pantry dresser. The homes lacked modern pipes and thus forced the old-house dwellers to fetch water from an out-of-doors source like the wells and springs. Instead of chimneys, they had porous outlets through which smoke could escape. The technological advances that came in with industrialization brought about the changes so witnessed in these kitchens today, though it was rather gradual. The stoves were produced as a result. For instance, the Franklin stove which was devised in 1970 and acted as a furnace stove for heating purposes. The Rumford stove was on the other hand more efficient as it used a single fire to heat several pots at a time and served the purpose of cooking and heating. It was devised in 1800. The kitchen renaissance according to Mark Lawson’s account is remarkably a very vital aspect in so far as human culture. Besides, the kitchen was widely viewed by many as an epitome of a sacrosanct sustenance of the family as a unit. It also significantly outlines the correspondence of the emancipation of women in our societies. It is perceived as a microcosm of our humanity in its bearing to social function and aesthetics of the very creation. An assertion by Thomas Jefferson that for one to really understand the workings of a given society, then it is prudent for the same person to ‘look into their pots’ and eat with them their bread surely holds. This depicts the significant role the kitchen plays in every society and culture. The kitchen is no longer the place of toil it used to be. It has become the centre stage for life in the United States families. The modern American kitchen is equipped with such pleasantries as stoves, sinks with hot and cold running water, classy kitchen cabinets, designed and arranged in a modular manner, refrigerators, microwave ovens and dish washers among other valuable kitchen appliances (Foner, 2000: 110). The kitchen not only served the purposes of cooking and storage the ancient kitchen served, but also served as dining, entertainment, dish washing and laundry. Apart from the aforesaid, the kitchen also had in it defining artifacts which included the recipe books and a typical apron collection. This significantly depicted the inventive creation of products, courtesy of the scientific era (Hughes, 1997: 112). These productions did not occur in a fortnight as every meaningful step was undertaken and it wasn’t as spontaneous as might be perceived. In the periods between 1900 and 1920, there was a slight shift and hence drift in the human settlement. People moved from farm life and embraced urban life. Despite this perceived revolution, the kitchens at the time reflected the pre-gas and electric era, even though, a few elements of customary mainstays-ways and techno-how were incorporated. In essence, cookers such as stoves which could utilize both gas and wood were employed (Hughes, 1997: 112). After 1920, that is, in the periods between 1921 and 1940, a widespread installation of electricity and gas led to an unprecedented period which foresaw the rebirth of modern kitchen. The basics and approaches of engineering and science were applied in the modern kitchen design enhanced its efficiency. Besides, sanitary measures and general standards improved to considerably greater heights. Between 1950 and 1960, after the Second World War, the booms released to boost housing after mass destruction of property, triggered an immense product development of these appliances and kitchen as a whole. Various fridge types were devised, for example, a refrigerator with a magnetic flap was devised in 1956. Another one in this series was the rectilinear type produced in 1957. The rounded curves were replaced by the right angle-shaped fridges. Creative marketing set in which in turn led to the pimping and creative display of the pieces of equipment and cookware (Foner, 2000: 110). In the periods between 1970 and 1980, the designs in this field were almost achieving its climax. This was so because the kitchen had assumed a sophisticated and integral compartment in a home’s living space. The results were a reflection of the modern technology and innovation. Alongside this was a cohesive stylistic facade through color coordination of these gadgets, countertops, walls and flooring (White, 2003: 75). Until 2000, the digital era had significantly impacted on the several toils made and unnecessary movements made in the kitchen and thus enhanced their efficiency. Things have since been controlled digitally saving them a great deal of the associated stress (Schelesinger, 1986: 88). The modernity and urbanization ensured effective planning which led to the building and setting up of furnished kitchens. Water allotment pipes were installed in various homes with inbuilt sewers to check on the waste water especially from the sinks. Moreover, gas pipes were fixed to supply gas for lighting and cooking purposes. What followed was the introduction of mastered commercially feasible electricity in homes which further boosted the working and functionality of these home baaed gadgetries. Electric cookers or electric stoves have continued to make a progression on their improvement in technology. Today, people in the US and the whole world can make a choice on which stove they best prefer to cook, whether the gas or the electric type. Although the idea of food preservation by cooling is ancient, the modern electric fridges patents to the 1914 ideas. Its discovery killed the ice industry as it proved ice an irrelevant substance for food cooling. This instead used convectional mechanisms from cold air around the insulated box. The post modern dish washers with drying mechanism though perceived by many as a luxury, have proved to be a source of solace from the stressing household chores. Another outstanding post modern appliance is the microwave. This type differs from the ancient Radarange as it is more compact and convenient. It also cooks food fast. These appliances are able to viably reach and utilize the electricity networked in these homes to make life more comfortable. Inside view of a dishwasher More outstanding is the sophisticated refrigerator with inbuilt television of flat screen model. This in essence brings about entertainment apart from being a preservative gadget (Schelesinger, 1986: 88). Away from the appliances, the kitchen as aforementioned served the purpose of living. The modern kitchen is designed in such a way that it creates room or a space for relaxing where tales can be told to individuals (White, 2003: 75). There are those families who have resorted to induction cook tops. This has the advantage of on the spot and precise temperature controls and thus proves more efficient and safer for cooking (Schelesinger, 1986: 88). This is achieved through the maintained cool temperature of the surface even as the actual cooking takes place. This gadget also saves from the burden of cleaning as it happens so easily due to its flush surface. Picture of a modern American kitchen The question of how far these advancements in the kitchen of the American continent will reach still remains a mystery. It does not necessarily involve coming up with something a new. Many build their advancements based on perfection of the existing gadgets. People must therefore be anticipating more of such discoveries in endeavors to make life more enjoyable and hassle-free. To achieve this quest, the creative and innovative minds of the science and technology world have to be continuously engaged (White, 2003: 75). It also emerges that the kitchen remains the most outstanding place to explore and utilize the changing technologies blended with the art of our existence. There are various campaigns being put forward to automate the kitchen and adopt the environmentally affable concepts of food preservation and new production methods. This must be sought in order to safeguard our environment and make it a better place for humanity. Bibliography Schlesinger, Arthur M. 1986. The cycles of American history. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. Foner, 2000, Eric, and John A. Garraty. 2000. The Readers companion to American history. Boston: Houghton-Mifflin. University of Wisconsin and Merrill Jensen. 1951. Regionalism in America. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press. Smith, 1976, G. E. Kidder. 1976. A pictorial history of architecture in America. New York: American Heritage Pub. Co. : distribution by W. W. Norton. Hughes, Robert. 1997. American visions: the epic history of art in America. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. White, Barbara Anne. 2003. The Beecher sisters. New Haven: Yale University Press. Read More