Illinois woman invented the modern dishwasher

• Dishwasher
• Inventions

“If nobody else is going to invent a dishwashing machine, I’ll do it myself,” were the renowned words of an Illinois woman whose invention impacted domestic living for generations across the U.S. Josephine Cochran is the original inventor of the first practical dishwasher and established the Garis-Cochran Dish-Washing Company in 1897 to manufacture the new, innovative device. After moving to Illinois from Ohio, Cochran built her prototype in a shed behind her house in Shelbyville. It could fit plates, cups and saucers inside a set of wire compartments and pumped hot soapy water onto the dishes, avoiding common issues like chipping and unwanted wear.

In 1886, Cochran secured a patent for her dishwasher design with the assistance of mechanic George Butters. Her design featured a motor, water wheel, a boiler to heat the water, and a rack system to hold the dishes neatly in place as they were sprayed with the soapy water. While Cochran’s dishwasher was the first to be commercialized, she initially sold them to hotels and restaurants to demonstrate its value in multiple settings. The large-size model of the dishwasher could wash and dry 240 dishes in two minutes. The success of her dishwasher enticed hospitals and colleges to purchase the machine for its effortless sanitizing effects.

Cochran’s dishwasher gained support and recognition from businesses, hospitals and schools, but it was not until the 1950s when dishwashers became popular and successful in American households. She was posthumously inducted into the Inventors Hall of Fame in 2006. Thanks to her persistence in seeing her invention succeed, Cochran formed a legacy for herself and changed the domestic experience for all Americans.

Illinois named 4th best state for sports lovers

Sports combine recreation, community and entertainment, making them one of the favorite activities for people of all ages, especially in Illinois.

According to SmileHub, a non-profit charity rating organization, Illinois is the 4^th best state for sports lovers in the U.S. SmileHub compared all 50 states using 20 key metrics related to three main themes, including sports interest and success, sports careers and income and access to sports.

Illinois ranked 6^th for sports interest and success, 8^th for sports careers and income, and 5^th for access to sports – with an overall ranking of 4^th and a total score of 48.5.

Sports are extremely popular in Illinois due to various reasons. Illinois is home to one of 11 cities across the U.S. that have a team in each of the five major professional sports leagues. Illinois is also home to two professional women’s sports teams, the Chicago Sky in the Women’s National Basketball Association and the Chicago Red Stars in the National Women’s Soccer League. Illinois also has prominent minor league sports teams and pre-professional sports clubs in soccer, baseball, hockey and more.

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Artist of the Month: Ballet Quad Cities

Founded in 1996, Ballet Quad Cities is the longest running fully professional ballet company in the Western Illinois region. Based in Rock Island, the company brings exhilarating performances to the area, often including the Christmas classic, “The Nutcracker,” and their own variations of famous ballets such as “Carmen.”

Alongside their performances each season, Ballet Quad Cities uses ballet as a tool to facilitate lessons in literacy, social-emotional development and physical activity through their outreach program that visits local schools, libraries, youth centers and organizations within the area.

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Countless Community Gardens in Illinois

Community gardens – we all have heard of them, but how exactly do they work and why are they important? Started as a way to make farming easier, community gardens have been around for centuries and provide a unique opportunity to strengthen ties and friendships as well as help food pantries and food-insecure individuals.

These plots of land are spaces to grow fresh produce, herbs or other flowers and plants in a friendly and safe environment. Many community gardens offer educational programs for youth to learn about the importance of gardening and sustainability.

Illinois has countless of community gardens across the state. Here are just a few that might be located near you:

Northern Illinois

• DeKalb County Community Gardens - 2280 Bethany Rd., DeKalb, IL
• Glencoe Community Garden - 385 Old Green Bay Rd., Glencoe, IL
• Forest Park Community Garden - 631 S. Harlem Ave., Forest Park, IL
• Dorchester Community Garden - 6953 S. Dorchester Ave., Chicago, IL
• Dresser Gardens-Community Rental Garden - 6925 S. Mulford Rd., Cherry Valley, IL
• Advocate Sherman Hospital Community Garden - 1425 N. Randall Rd., Elgin, IL

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