space-saver and time-saver ever!” — ad
After our recent article about Chris’ kitchen, which spotlighted his restored GE Wonder Kitchen, I decided to pursue some true academic research into this wonderful design from mid century America. GE Wonder Kitchens were, “An internally plumbed and wired G-E ‘Kitchen Center’ combining an automatic dishwaher, range, Dispoall-equipped sink, and a washer dryer. All mounted under one stainless steel counter.” The basic unit was 9.5 feet long, I believe.
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.
Linda says
I have in storage from GE in mint condition a wall fridge,reg fridge,frigidaire flair,a range with oven on top,dishwasher,double drainboard sink,tub washer, and 3 more stoves. I also have pink Rubbermaid everything. All these appliances are pink. I am saving up to bulid dream home. Oh also a Westinghouse roaster in pink and a 1950s water cooler sttand also in pink!
John says
Found the newspaper article on my house apparently it had a ge wonder kitchen in addition to a ge wall mount fridge
Kristy Collins says
As mentioned in a previous post, I have the GE Wonder Kitchen (in Cadet Blue) in my home built in 1955 by my Great Aunt Rita. I have attached some photos that include my amateur shots, historic photos from back in the day, and the talents of Bridget Parmeter of be photography. Enjoy!
John Pajak says
I have one of these GE Wonder Kitchens, circa 1960, that I got from a house in Chevy Chase MD that was being remodeled. Here is a picture of it as originally installed. Notice that this one doesn’t have a washing machine as do some of the others. The stainless counter portion is 9 feet wide with a single basin integral sink:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y190/jspajak/GE%20Kitchen%20Cabinets/DSC_06451.jpg
I plan to use this in my 1952 house in the new kitchen area, including the ‘cabinettes’ (over the sink) of course. I have a boatload of other GE cabinets to use as well.
I’m not going to use any of the original electrical components, since we cook with gas. So, the oven and burners that are built ito the stainless counter are for sale, as is the pink wall oven. I plan to attach a stainless cover or maybe a cutting board to cover the holes for the burners. The tall oven cabinet will be converted to hold a microwave.
Judy says
Have a Wonder Kitchen and am thinking of restoring.
Any chance your stove and burners work and/or are still for sale?
Thank you.
Alan Weiner says
Last purchased burners at Miami appliance 7th avenue Miami,FL for about$30-$35…still using mine regularly
Randerson says
A good friend in Canada imported a GE Wonder Kitchen complete with Wall Refrigerator, everything in turquoise color, a few years ago. It had been essentially unused! Due to sheer age there were some glitches with the Combo washer/dryer and finding parts, but it’s slowly coming back to life!
Becky says
My MIL still has her pink wall refrigerator/freezer in working condition. It’s fabulous. She couldn’t bear to part with it during a 1980’s remodel, so it’s now in the basement of her 1905 farmhouse. Not really one for period accuracy, my MIL.
Robin, NV says
Very, very cool. I love Lori’s pink kitchen.
The yellow kitchen in the ad has the diamond pattern I want to put on my soffits! Mine will be different colors (turquoise, yellow, and orange) but cool to see that my plan is “authentic.”
Chicago Mel says
I think that is an awesome idea! When I saw the diamond pattern I thought that it was very cool. I am glad that someone out there is going to make it in real life. Good luck!
Diane says
How I wish they would make the fridge and freezer as upper cabinets today—
Mary Beth says
We had the wall fridge/freezer from 1957 until GE stopped making the motors -Mom reluctantly gave it up in 1977. Ours was turquoise blue with a deep band of ridged stainless across the bottom – easy to clean finger prints off of and the top band covered the motor – you can see the mesh panel in the brochure on the right – when it needed service the appliance guy used a step stool and just popped the panel off. Having a complete run of counter below was beautiful design wise and functional – whatever you were taking out : milk jug or a turkey was inches away from safety. The height also kept us kids out of mischief – until we were tall enough to reach the popsicles in the freezer!
Janet in CT says
I was totally unaware that these Wonder Kitchen cabinets existed until late last year. I think they are just fabulous and such a great “modern” look for the time. I have never seen Cadet Blue before either on anything nor did I realize that color existed. I am going to have to dig out my old parts catalogs and find out if that color came on other appliances or if it was an exclusive for the Wonder Kitchen. Now I am aspiring to own a Wonder Kitchen in that color! Great article, Pam, thank you!
BlueJay says
Frigidaire put out a ‘charcoal’ starting in 1957; my guess was that it was both to compete and compliment the cadet blue. 😀
BlueJay says
Groundbreaking design seems to be a theme for mid century appliance companies. There was so much innovation in the 50’s and 60s in terms of modern conveniences! And it was really well built to boot! 😀
pam kueber says
Agreed — tremendous period for innovation, driven by new technology, affluence and rise of middle class. This is what makes the period so fascinating!
BlueJay says
It’s really sad that the balance between innovation and style seems to have tapered off sometime in the 70s. Now, most things aren’t built nearly as well and available in lackluster ‘colors’. Also, my mom was telling me about a show she saw as a kid where they predicted what the future would be like. Apparently, in 2000, we were supposed to have laundry centers that folded our clothes for us. I’d like that please. 😀