<P> The word "Thermomix" comes from the combination of "thermo" (heating) and "mix" (mixing). The current Thermomix provides three basic functions: A heating element, a motor for fast or slow blending and stirring, and a scale that can weigh the stack of cooking pots and pans . The functions can be accessed simultaneously to provide what the manufacturer calls "12 functions": steaming, emulsifying, blending, precise heating, mixing, milling, whipping, kneading, chopping, weighing, grinding and stirring . Several of these differ only by the speed of the motor . </P> <P> The Thermomix was derived from a mixer series from Vorwerk originally called "VKM5", in 1961 . It had seven functions: stirring, kneading, chopping, grating, mixing, milling and juicing . The justification for the development of the heating element comes from the managing director of Vorwerk France, who around 1970 came up with the idea of designing a machine that could simultaneously blend and cook, in order to make thickened soups and baby food, popular in France . A year later, in 1971, the original Thermomix VM 2000 was launched on the market--first in France, then later in Spain and Italy . </P> <P> The VM 2200 followed as the second model in the line, designed in bright orange color and with the ability to keep dishes hot or cold . The TM3300, the first version with the name "Thermomix" was released in 1985, but this time with a more standard white finish and having the mixing bowl in a lower position than the previous model . </P> <P> The next model, the Thermomix TM21, was released in 1996, with a bigger bowl, integrated weighing scale and a more modern design . A re-designed model TM31 was released in 2004, which has been again revised with the TM5 (as in 5th generation) in September 2014 . One of the main differences in the new model is that it incorporates digital technologies, as it allows for "guided cooking" using proprietary memory chips to provide settings and cooking instructions, and has replaced all the buttons and knobs in previous models with a touch screen . </P>

When did the first digital thermamix appliance hit the stores