<P> The first mechanical dishwashing device was registered in 1850 in the United States by Joel Houghton for a hand - powered wood device . This device was made of wood and was cranked by hand while water sprayed onto the dishes . This device was both slow and unreliable . Another patent was granted to L.A. Alexander in 1865 that was similar to the first but featured a hand - cranked rack system . Neither device was practical or widely accepted . </P> <P> Subsequently another hand - powered dishwasher was invented in 1887 by Josephine Cochrane with the help of George Butters in Josephine's tool shed in Shelbyville, Illinois and was unveiled at the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago, Illinois under the name of Lavadora but was changed to Lavaplatos as another machine invented in 1858 already held that name . This machine is what everyone now knows as the washing machine . Cochrane's inspiration was her frustration at the damage to her good china that occurred when her servants handled it during cleaning . </P> <P> Europe's first domestic dishwasher with an electric motor was invented and manufactured by Miele in 1929 . </P> <P> In the United Kingdom, William Howard Livens invented a small, non-electric dishwasher suitable for domestic use in 1924 . It was the first dishwasher that incorporated most of the design elements that are featured in the models of today; it included a front door for loading, a wire rack to hold the dirty crockery and a rotating sprayer . Drying elements were even added to his design in 1940 . It was the first machine suitable for domestic use, and it came at a time when permanent plumbing and running water in the house was becoming increasingly common . </P>

When did the first electric dishwasher come out