Who invented the household appliance we call the toaster? 6

The toaster is such a common fixture in today’s kitchens that it’s easy to overlook just how revolutionary this small appliance once was. We rely on it for our perfectly browned toast every morning without giving much thought to where it came from or how it became such a household staple. So, who actually invented the toaster? The answer is more complex than you might think—involving a blend of innovation, industrial progress, and even a surprisingly elaborate internet hoax.

In this article, we’ll explore the real story behind the invention of the toaster, debunk myths, and introduce you to the unsung heroes who transformed the humble idea of heating bread into a global kitchen essential.

For many years, a name circulated online as the “inventor of the toaster”: Alan MacMasters, a Scottish scientist supposedly responsible for the first electric bread toaster in the late 1800s. The story sounded plausible and even included a photo and detailed backstory. It was repeated in countless blog posts, books, and even considered by the Bank of England for inclusion on a banknote.

But in 2022, the story unraveled. A curious 15-year-old student began digging into the details of MacMasters’ life and discovered that the entire narrative was a hoax—started as a joke on Wikipedia and allowed to snowball over time. MacMasters, as presented in the story, never existed. His invention, the “Eclipse,” and his partnership with R.E.B. Crompton were entirely fabricated.

While the tale fooled many for over a decade, it serves as a cautionary reminder: not everything you read online is true, even when it’s been widely accepted and cited.

The real story of the toaster begins not in Scotland, but in the United States during the early 20th century. The invention of the electric toaster became possible only after a critical material breakthrough: the creation of nichrome, a heat-resistant alloy made from nickel and chromium.

In 1905, Albert Marsh, an engineer working for Albert & Charles Co., developed nichrome. This new material could withstand high temperatures and repeated use without breaking down, solving one of the major hurdles in building a reliable electric heating element.

Just a few years later, in 1909, Frank Shailor of General Electric introduced the D-12, the first commercially successful electric toaster. It could toast one side of the bread at a time and required manual flipping, but it marked the beginning of electric toasting in homes.

This was followed by Charles Strite, a mechanic from Minnesota who, in 1921, patented the first automatic pop-up toaster. His invention solved the problem of burned toast by including a built-in timer and an ejection mechanism that released the toast once it was ready.

By 1926, Strite’s company released the Toastmaster, the first toaster designed specifically for household use. It became an instant success, introducing adjustable browning controls and a compact design that fit seamlessly into American kitchens.

In its early years, owning a toaster was considered a luxury. In the 1930s, the average toaster would cost the modern-day equivalent of several hundred dollars. But as manufacturing techniques improved and electricity became more widespread, prices began to fall.

The introduction of pre-sliced bread in 1928 (thank you, Otto Frederick Rohwedder!) further boosted toaster sales. With uniform slices now the norm, the toaster became the perfect companion appliance. By the 1950s and 60s, toasters had become affordable, efficient, and compact—a standard in most American homes.

Manufacturers also began experimenting with style and color. By the 1970s, toasters came in bold shades of orange, avocado green, and chrome. Some were even designed with wood paneling to match popular kitchen trends. Brands started offering customization options to match consumer taste and kitchen aesthetics.

Toasters didn’t stop evolving. As consumer expectations rose, manufacturers began adding a host of features:

• Wider slots to accommodate bagels, artisan bread, and waffles
• Multi-slice capacity with 4- and 6-slice models
• Thermal sensors to ensure consistent browning
• Digital timers and LCD displays for precision
• Smart technology, including app connectivity and one-touch presets

Some high-end models now double as mini-ovens or broilers. Others come with touchscreen controls and countdown timers. There are even toasters that burn custom designs or logos into your toast.

From utilitarian to high-tech, the toaster has undergone a dramatic transformation while keeping its core function intact: reliably browning bread.

As with many great inventions, there’s no single name that can be solely credited. Instead, the invention of the toaster is the product of multiple innovations, each building on the last.

• Albert Marsh made the heating element possible with nichrome.
• Frank Shailor designed the first commercially successful model.
• Charles Strite revolutionized the design with the automatic pop-up feature.

Add to that countless engineers, designers, and manufacturers who refined and reimagined the toaster over the past century.

So, while Alan MacMasters may live on as an internet myth, the real story of the toaster is one of collaboration, engineering ingenuity, and the timeless human desire for a hot, crispy slice of bread.

Before the toaster, preparing breakfast bread meant either baking it fresh or heating it manually over an open flame or stovetop — a time-consuming and inconsistent process. The invention of the electric toaster revolutionized this routine, turning breakfast into something quicker, easier, and more standardized.

The rise of the toaster went hand in hand with the popularity of pre-sliced bread, introduced commercially in 1928. Suddenly, anyone could enjoy evenly sliced, perfectly toasted bread with minimal effort. This changed how families approached mornings — especially in America, where speed and convenience became essential during the mid-20th-century boom in suburban living and commuting culture.

By the 1950s and 60s, toast had become a breakfast staple. Cereal, coffee, and toast formed the “big three” of modern breakfast, particularly in Western households. Toasters enabled busy parents and working individuals to whip up a warm, comforting meal in mere minutes — no kitchen skills required.

The toaster also helped inspire a wave of new breakfast foods, such as:

• Frozen waffles (like Eggo, introduced in 1953),

• Pop-Tarts (launched by Kellogg’s in 1964),

• and toaster strudels in later decades.

All of these were designed specifically with the toaster in mind — further proving its influence beyond just bread.

In many ways, the humble toaster didn’t just toast bread — it reshaped our mornings.

The toaster’s journey from industrial curiosity to everyday kitchen essential mirrors the story of modern living. It reflects how innovation, mass production, and changing consumer lifestyles can transform even the simplest ideas into global standards.

Next time you drop a slice of bread into your toaster, take a moment to appreciate the century of creativity, problem-solving, and progress behind that satisfying “pop.”

Because sometimes, the most ordinary things have the most extraordinary stories behind them.

Was Alan MacMasters really the inventor of the toaster?

No. The story of Alan MacMasters inventing the toaster is an internet hoax. The myth began as a satirical Wikipedia edit and was later debunked. There is no historical evidence that he invented or even worked on toasters.

Who actually invented the toaster?

The invention of the toaster was the result of multiple innovations:

• Albert Marsh developed nichrome in 1905, making safe heating elements possible.

• Frank Shailor of General Electric created the first commercially successful electric toaster in 1909.

• Charles Strite invented the automatic pop-up toaster in 1921.

When was the first toaster made?

The first successful electric toaster, the GE D-12, was introduced in 1909. It could toast only one side at a time and required manual flipping.

When did pop-up toasters become available?

1921, when Charles Strite patented the first automatic pop-up toaster. The first household model, the Toastmaster, was released in 1926.

Why was the toaster such a big deal?

The toaster made breakfast faster, easier, and more consistent. It changed morning routines by allowing anyone to toast bread quickly without using a stove or oven.

How has the toaster changed over time?

Toasters have evolved from single-slice, one-sided devices to smart, multi-slice appliances with bagel modes, digital controls, thermal sensors, and even app connectivity.

Is the toaster still relevant today?

Absolutely. Despite the rise of air fryers and multifunction ovens, the toaster remains a staple in kitchens worldwide due to its simplicity, speed, and reliability.