space-saver and time-saver ever!” — ad
I went looking for more info and golly, what with the power of the Google, my most basic questions were answered fast. Right away, I found this June 27, 1955 advertisement from LIFE. This ad indicates that the first GE Wonder Kitchens are about to be launched. It features William Levitt, and says that these kitchen-laundry units will be installed in his development in Levittown, Pennsylvania. The ad proclaims:
In the words of one woman enthusiast, “It is the most magnificent, yet most sensible work-saver, space-saver and time-saver ever!”
After I found the 1955 ad online, I then went into my stash of vintage marketing materials, and super quick, located several ads for GE’s kitchen appliances from 1955. GE must really have been making a big push this particular year. In addition to spotlighting the Wonder Kitchen, they also were promoting other built-ins including their now-famous refrigerator that looks like a wall cabinet. The built-ins that were part of the Wonder Kitchen also could be purchased separately.
In fact, the Wonder Kitchen ad says: “… 55 out of every 100 women think G.E. makes the best home appliances.”
Also pretty groovy: See the GE 1955 color palette — Canary Yellow, Turquoise Green, Petal Pink, Cadet Blue and Woodtone Brown. Note — they are promoting to “mix and match” these colors. Indeed, we occasionally see two-tone kitchens in the wild. More so in ads, though. Methinks that most women were pretty conservative about getting too trendy with their purchases of this big ticket items.
… and, Cadet Blue — golly, I’ve never heard of that one before! Must be as rare to see today as Frigidaire’s short-lived 1960s Poppy Red.
Above, a GE Wonder Kitchen in the famous 1960 “Scarsdale time capsule house” that we showed here a few years ago. I am thinking: The Wonder Kitchen was high-end.
In a comment added to the story about Chris’ kitchen, reader Lori reminded us that she also has a GE Wonder Kitchen. And — she has a husband who is a professional — he rewired it, and she is using this daily!
Lori provided lots of detail, writing:
Hi There! Love the kitchen remodel. And the fact that another one of these rare GE kitchen centers has been saved. I was fortunate to pick up one of these kitchen centers about six years ago on EBAY. MIne’s in PINK and it’s still has the original paint. Pam was so kind to feature my entire kitchen on the site here last year titled Lori’s Whole Lotta Lovin’ Fun kitchen.
The date on my GE KITCHEN CENTER is Oct. 1956. I have the combo washer/dryer, dishwasher, stove and cleaner container compartment. My husband is an electrical engineer so he rewired the entire center and brought it up to code so that I could use it. I have the sliding doors for my center but when I put them on I couldn’t see my vintage figurine display so I opted to leave them off. Also I have in storage the matching stackable ovens. I have an original 1957 GE CALENDAR and the month of JULY features the GE KITCHEN CENTER. The bottom of the page reads: “GENERAL ELECTRIC KITCHEN CENTER. New, Deluxe Package Kitchen. Available in five, beautiful Mix or Match colors. Four time saving, work saving appliances, range, dishwasher, Disposall (copyrighted), and combination washer/dryer all under a seamless, long-lasting stainless steel counter. Many deluxe features – cabinettes, fluorescent lights, retractable cord center, custom radio, and cleaner container compartment – gives you more glamour…more utility…more beauty.” When I was looking for my GE KITCHEN CENTER I found some manuals for 1955, 1956 and 1957 so I’m not sure if those were the only years but I’m pretty sure that the first centers were either 1954 or 1955. And I know they didn’t have a long production run. They were designed to be used in a small space giving you all the appliances you need at your finger tips. So I’m thrilled to see another GE KITCHEN CENTER being reclaimed and displayed so beautifully! GREAT JOB!!
I am not sure when Cabinettes were added to the mix.
The GE Wonder Kitchen: pretty cool. Now you know.
Ken Hillman says
I just “FaceTime” visited a home that my daughter and son in law are looking at outside of Albany, NY.
I has a complete, original GE kitchen in yellow and I just love it!
I am a almost retired remodeling contractor, born in 1953, and can say I heard of these but never saw one.
Yankee engineering and a great history!
John Brooks says
My wife and I own a 1958 GE Kitchen Center in our Mid Century Atomic Ranch Home. The Moen kitchen faucet that is part of the stainless steel sink is beginning to wear out. I contacted Moen and they said they no longer have parts for it. I was hoping someone could tell us what we could replace it with.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
John
pam kueber says
Hi John, I don’t know the answer to this. Perhaps experts like those at deabath.com could help?
melissa sanford says
I used one of Pams dishmasters on my kitchen center. It took a little bit of fiddling around with the main body but it worked.
John Brooks says
Thank you. I thought it might work but could not say 100% so now I feel better-thank you again.
pam kueber says
If you want to try a Dishmaster, I am betting the customer service at the Dishmaster company also could advise…
LeeAnn says
Hi John – I also have the exact same problem with the sink faucet in my GE wonder kitchen, its goin ? did u find any answers or any kind of replacement? thank you
pam kueber says
I’d also recommend trying deabath.com — they do lots of work with historic plumbing and might be able to help.
Michelle M Barnes says
Hi! I’m loving these pictures and stories. I have one that safely, needs to go due to electric upgrade in my 1870’s house. Does anyone know where to market it for sale?
Pam Kueber says
Here are some tips, Michelle — https://retrorenovation.com/do-you-want-to-sell-a-vintage-item-that-you-own/
Chelsea says
Any idea what these go for these days? I have one in my kitchen and the burner went out and I can’t find anyone to repair it, so am sadly thinking of getting rid of it 🙁
Pam Kueber says
It really depends on the market. To fix the burner give the folks over at The Old Appliance Club a try, they may be able to help >> https://retrorenovation.com/2011/08/29/parts-service-and-advice-to-fix-old-stoves-and-other-vintage-appliances-a-list-of-9-online-resources/
betsy mitschke says
what is the cleaner container compartment
Pam Kueber says
Hmmm… I don’t know!
LOUIS says
Hi Pam, I HAVE A BRAND NEW 1956 GE KITCHEN/ LAUNDRY WITH 9 FT 8 SS COUNTERTOP THAT TURNS LEFT AND GOES ANOTHER 74″ OR SO
Pam Kueber says
Wow! I’ll email you for photos!