The object of this website is to dispel the many myths surrounding the history of the electric kettle. By careful research in contemporary publications, patent records and previous researchers work, it is hoped to produce a definitive record of the history of the electric kettle.

This study aims to trace the development of the domestic electric kettle from it's earliest experimental beginnings - evolving from an expensive novelty, for wealthy late-Victorian users of the new ‘electric-light', into the ubiquitous mass-produced appliance of today. It is mainly concerned with developments in the United Kingdom but does not ignore kettles that were imported, especially from America and Germany.

Drawing on contemporary published sources in patents, technical periodicals, books, magazines and catalogues, the viewpoints of the electrical supply engineer, appliance manufacturer, retailer and consumer [customer] will all be considered.

At the outset it is necessary to decide the question of just what does (or does not) count as an electric kettle. Recognising that the kettle was developed at the same time as other related heating and cooking appliances, a broad definition has been employed. This includes designs using non-immersed [‘under-floor'] heating elements, immersed elements (insulated or un-insulated); immersed electrodes; or heating by induction. It also includes products which depart more or less from the traditional copper-kettle shape, and which may have had other uses - apart from making tea!

As a working definition, any self-contained device intended to boil a small quantity of water in a container [for domestic purposes] by means of electricity' is accepted as a kettle.

History often generates claims for “firsts” - and existing publications contain a number of obviously conflicting stories about kettles. It is often easier to refute unjustified claims than to substantiate new ones - but whether the reader awards priority to the first published idea; the first practical demonstration, or the first commercial success of each feature, I hope he or she will find something of interest in the research that follows.

As a working definition, any self-contained device intended to boil a small quantity of water in a container [for domestic purposes] by means of electricity is accepted as an electric kettle.
I accept that I will be duplicating research already carried out by collectors of such items as “Tea making Alarm Clocks” and “Coffee Percolators”. Where I am able to verify their conclusions I intend to copy their findings, I hope they will forgive me in the interests of genuine research. Of course, all works known to be plagiarised will be credited where possible.
This research is ongoing and it is likely that there will be no cut-off point, information will be added as the author becomes aware of it. Any help will be gratefully received, please see the links page for contact details.

The author is a free-lance domestic appliance repair engineer, who also acts as a volunteer in the electrical hall at Amberley Working Museum. He is privileged to have access to an immense amount of archive material, from which this research is largely drawn.
The Author would like to thank many people for the help which they have given to the making of this website, and especially to single out John Narborough the Curator of the Milne Museum at  Amberley.