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1.  Historical Background of Commercializing both ‘Electric Rice Cooker’ and ‘Automated Electric Rice Cooker’
1.  Historical Background of Commercializing both ‘Electric Rice Cooker’ and ‘Automated Electric Rice Cooker’


In the past the rice cookers were operated by non-automated dedicated rice-cooking utensils, whereas at present they are by automated electric/gas rice cookers. The world’s first ‘electric rice cooker’ [1] and ‘automated electric rice cooker’ [2] were commercialized by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and Toshiba Corporation in 1923 and 1955, respectively [3, 4]. As for the former, its commercialization was carried out in the year when the Great Earthquake of 1923 occurred, and it was used restrictedly in shipping [4]. On the other hand, as for the latter, it was the first commercially successful rice cooker for home use, and its development contributed significantly to the rapid spread of home electrification in postwar Japan.       
In the past the rice cookers were operated by non-automated dedicated rice-cooking utensils, whereas at present they are by automated electric/gas rice cookers. The world’s first ‘electric rice cooker’ [1] and ‘automated electric rice cooker’ [2] were commercialized by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and Toshiba Corporation in 1923 and 1955, respectively [3, 4]. As for the former, its commercialization was carried out in the year when the Great Earthquake of 1923 occurred, and it was used restrictedly in shipping [4]. On the other hand, as for the latter, it was the first commercially successful rice cooker for home use [3], and its development contributed significantly to the rapid spread of home electrification in postwar Japan.       


2.  History of the Commercialization of Electric Rice Cookers
2.  History of the Commercialization of Electric Rice Cookers


The ‘electric rice cooker’ released in 1923 by Mitsubishi was composed of a main pot, an inner cooking bowl to hold rice and water, and an electric heating element. The bowl filled with rice and water was heated until the water in the bowl boiled off. Since this rice cooker had no automatic turn-off facility, it had to be manually turned off when the temperature rose to a certain point. Thus, in around 1930 Mitsubishi managed to attach an automatic turn-off facility to the rice cooker so that the heater could be automatically turned off when the temperature of water in the bowl rose above the boiling point. Here, it should be added that this renewed rice cooker with a turn-off facility was still used in shipping [4].  
The ‘electric rice cooker’ released in 1923 by Mitsubishi was composed of a main pot, an inner cooking bowl to hold rice and water, and an electric heating element. The bowl filled with rice and water was heated until the water in the bowl boiled off. Since this rice cooker had no automatic turn-off facility, it had to be manually turned off when the temperature of water in the bowl rose to a certain point. Thus, in 1930 Mitsubishi managed to attach an automatic turn-off facility to the rice cooker so that the cooker could be automatically turned off when the temperature of water in the bowl rose above the boiling point, where it should be added that this renewed rice cooker with a turn-off facility was still used in shipping [4].  


3.  History of the Commercialization of Automated Electric Rice Cookers
3.  History of the Commercialization of Automated Electric Rice Cookers


The ‘automated electric rice cooker’ developed in 1955 by Toshiba using a double-chamber indirect rice cooking method, was the first commercially successful rice cooker for home use. When the water in the cooking bowl boiled off, the temperature of the bowl rose rapidly. A bimetallic thermostat then activated, and automatically turned off the cooker to prevent burning of the cooked rice. The commercialization of this rice cooker made such a big success that Toshiba produced 200,000 units per month for the Japanese market [3, 4]. Four years later, rice cookers could be found in half of Japanese homes [3].
The ‘automated electric rice cooker’ developed in 1955 by Toshiba using a double-chamber indirect rice cooking method, was the first commercially successful rice cooker for home use [3]. When the water in the cooking bowl boiled off, the temperature of the bowl rose rapidly. A bimetallic thermostat then activated, and automatically turned off the cooker to prevent burning of the cooked rice. The commercialization of this rice cooker made such a big success that Toshiba produced 200,000 units per month for the Japanese market [3, 4]. Four years later, rice cookers could be found in half of Japanese homes [3].
|a6=In the early development phase, the electric rice cookers encountered a number of obstacles as outlined below.  
|a6=In the early development phase the electric rice cookers encountered a number of obstacles as outlined below.  


1.  Obstacles to the Development of Electric Rice Cookers
1.  Obstacles to the Development of Electric Rice Cookers


The ‘electric rice cooker’ was developed by Mitsubishi with the use of the simple concept of heating the rice to cook and turning off the heater when the temperature rose to a certain point. This method was influenced by the variation of room temperature so greatly that under-cooked rice was often produced. Thus, in the early development phase, many makers continued to experience failures in their ongoing trial-and-error approaches [3].
The ‘electric rice cooker’ was developed by Mitsubishi using the simple concept of heating the rice to cook and turning off the cooker when the temperature of water in the bowl rose to a certain point. This method was influenced by the variation of room temperature so greatly that under-cooked rice was often produced. Thus, in the early development phase many makers continued to experience failures in their ongoing trial-and-error approaches [3].


2.  Obstacles to the Commercialization of Automated Electric Rice Cookers
2.  Obstacles to the Commercialization of Automated Electric Rice Cookers


Toshiba’s double-chamber indirect cooking model of the ‘automated electric rice cooker’, took more time for rice cooking, and also consumed more electricity than Mitsubishi’s cooking model of the ‘electric rice cooker’. In addition, since it had no keep-warm function, the cooked rice had to be moved to heat- insulated serving containers. Hence, this model began to be phased out in the late 1950s, until in 1965 Zojirushi Corporation embarked on commercializing electric rice cookers with a keep-warm function, using a semiconductor heat regulator. The product sold 2,000,000 units per year [3, 4].
Toshiba’s double-chamber indirect cooking model of the ‘automated electric rice cooker’, took more time for rice cooking and also consumed more electricity than Mitsubishi’s cooking model of the ‘electric rice cooker’. In addition, since it had no keep-warm function, the cooked rice had to be moved to heat-insulated serving containers. Hence, this model began to be phased out in the late 1950s, until in 1965 Zojirushi Corporation embarked on commercializing electric rice cookers with a keep-warm function, using a semiconductor heat regulator. The product sold 2,000,000 units per year [3, 4].
|a5=Both the ‘electric rice cooker’ and the ‘automated electric rice cooker’ had distinctive features as outlined below.  
|a5=Both the ‘electric rice cooker’ and the ‘automated electric rice cooker’ had distinctive features as outlined below.  


1. Unique Development of Electric Rice Cookers  
1. Unique Development of Electric Rice Cookers  


In old times the rice cookers were run by non-automated dedicated rice-cooking utensils, which have an ancient history (e.g. a ceramic rice steamer dated to 1250 BC is on display in the British Museum [3]). Since the world’s first ‘electric rice cooker’ commercialized in 1923 by Mitsubishi had no automatic turn- off function, it required constant monitoring during cooking. Thus, Mitsubishi made desperate efforts to realize the turn-off function, until in around 1930 they managed to attach an automatic turn-off facility to the rice cooker [4]. Here, it should be added that these newly attained rice cookers with a turn-off facility were still used in shipping.
In old times the rice cookers were run by non-automated dedicated rice-cooking utensils, which have an ancient history (e.g. a ceramic rice steamer dated to 1250 BC is on display in the British Museum [3]). Since the world’s first ‘electric rice cooker’ commercialized by Mitsubishi had no automatic turn-off function, it required constant monitoring during cooking. Thus, Mitsubishi made desperate efforts to realize the turn-off function, until in 1930 they managed to attach an automatic turn-off facility to the rice cooker, where it should be noted that these renewed rice cookers with a turn-off function were still used in shipping [4].
      
      
2. Rice Cookers with Automatic Turn-Off Facility  
2. Rice Cookers with Automatic Turn-Off Facility  


The world’s first ‘automated electric rice cooker’ was commercialized in 1955 by Toshiba with the use of a double-chamber indirect rice cooking method. Although this cooker was equipped with an automatic turn-off facility, it did not yet have a keep-warm feature, and hence the cooked rice cooled down so quickly that it was often necessary to move the cooked rice to heat-insulated serving containers. Thus, even though Toshiba was producing 200,000 rice cookers per month, the usage began to be phased out in the late 1950s, and rice cookers with a keep-warm function were strongly required. Actually, in 1965 Zojirushi started commercializing new electric rice cookers with a keep-warm function, using a semiconductor heat regulator. The product sold 2.000.000 units per year [3, 4].
The world’s first ‘automated electric rice cooker’ commercialized by Toshiba employed a double-chamber indirect rice cooking method. Although this cooker was equipped with an automatic turn-off facility, it had no keep-warm feature, and hence the cooked rice cooled down so quickly that it was often necessary to move the cooked rice to heat-insulated serving containers. Thus, even though Toshiba produced 200,000 rice cookers per month, their utility began to be phased out in the late 1950s, and rice cookers with a keep-warm function were strongly required. Eventually, in 1965 Zojirushi started commercializing a novel rice cooker with a keep-warm facility, using a semiconductor heat regulator. The product sold 2.000.000 units per year [3, 4].


3.  Subsequent Development of Electric Rice Cookers
3.  Subsequent Development of Electric Rice Cookers


Since the 1980s, higher-end electric rice cookers had employed microprocessors to control the cooking process, incorporating a memory and electric timer to set the desired ready time. In addition, since the 1990s Japanese makers had been attempting to compete by seeking a niche in models with added values by increasing the number of features of their products. Thus, more advanced ideas had been sought for microprocessor-controlled cooking, pressure cooking, induction heating, employing thermal far-infrared radiation, steaming trays for other foods, and so forth [3, 4].
Since the 1980s, higher-end electric rice cookers had employed microprocessors to control the cooking process, incorporating a memory together with an electric timer to be used for setting the desired 'ready time'. In addition, since the 1990s Japanese makers had been attempting to compete by seeking a niche in models with added values by increasing the number of features of their products. Eventually, more advanced ideas had been sought for microprocessor-controlled cooking, pressure cooking, induction heating, applying thermal far-infrared radiation, steaming trays for other foods, and so forth [3, 4].
|references=[1] http://www.goodspress.jp/columns/67395/2/ (in Japanese)
|references=[1] http://www.goodspress.jp/columns/67395/2/ (in Japanese)



Revision as of 07:40, 11 May 2021


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Docket #:2021-08

This is a draft proposal, that has not yet been submitted. To submit this proposal, click on the edit button in toolbar above, indicated by an icon displaying a pencil on paper. At the bottom of the form, check the box that says "Submit this proposal to the IEEE History Committee for review. Only check this when the proposal is finished" and save the page.


To the proposer’s knowledge, is this achievement subject to litigation? No

Is the achievement you are proposing more than 25 years old? Yes

Is the achievement you are proposing within IEEE’s designated fields as defined by IEEE Bylaw I-104.11, namely: Engineering, Computer Sciences and Information Technology, Physical Sciences, Biological and Medical Sciences, Mathematics, Technical Communications, Education, Management, and Law and Policy. Yes

Did the achievement provide a meaningful benefit for humanity? Yes

Was it of at least regional importance? Yes

Has an IEEE Organizational Unit agreed to pay for the milestone plaque(s)? Yes

Has an IEEE Organizational Unit agreed to arrange the dedication ceremony? Yes

Has the IEEE Section in which the milestone is located agreed to take responsibility for the plaque after it is dedicated? Yes

Has the owner of the site agreed to have it designated as an IEEE Milestone? Yes


Year or range of years in which the achievement occurred:

1923 and 1955: ‘1923’ and ‘1955’ are the years in which the Japanese Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and Toshiba Corporation commercialized an ‘electric rice cooker’ and an ‘automated electric rice cooker’, respectively, both for the first time in the world.

Title of the proposed milestone:

Commercialization of Electric Rice Cookers, 1923 and 1955

Plaque citation summarizing the achievement and its significance:

The world’s first ‘electric rice cooker’ and ‘automated electric rice cooker’ were commercialized by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and Toshiba Corporation in 1923 and 1955, respectively. Each was aimed at a kitchen appliance for rice cooking, which consisted of a main pot, a cooking bowl, a heat source, and a thermostat. They contributed significantly to the spread of home electrification in postwar Japan.

200-250 word abstract describing the significance of the technical achievement being proposed, the person(s) involved, historical context, humanitarian and social impact, as well as any possible controversies the advocate might need to review.


IEEE technical societies and technical councils within whose fields of interest the Milestone proposal resides.


In what IEEE section(s) does it reside?

Tokyo Section and Kansai Section

IEEE Organizational Unit(s) which have agreed to sponsor the Milestone:

IEEE Organizational Unit(s) paying for milestone plaque(s):

Unit: Tokyo Section
Senior Officer Name: Yoshiaki Nakano

IEEE Organizational Unit(s) arranging the dedication ceremony:

Unit: Tokyo Section
Senior Officer Name: Yoshiaki Nakano

IEEE section(s) monitoring the plaque(s):

IEEE Section: Tokyo Section
IEEE Section Chair name: Yoshiaki Nakano

Milestone proposer(s):

Proposer name: Isao Shirakawa
Proposer email: Proposer's email masked to public

Please note: your email address and contact information will be masked on the website for privacy reasons. Only IEEE History Center Staff will be able to view the email address.

Street address(es) and GPS coordinates in decimal form of the intended milestone plaque site(s):


Describe briefly the intended site(s) of the milestone plaque(s). The intended site(s) must have a direct connection with the achievement (e.g. where developed, invented, tested, demonstrated, installed, or operated, etc.). A museum where a device or example of the technology is displayed, or the university where the inventor studied, are not, in themselves, sufficient connection for a milestone plaque.

Please give the address(es) of the plaque site(s) (GPS coordinates if you have them). Also please give the details of the mounting, i.e. on the outside of the building, in the ground floor entrance hall, on a plinth on the grounds, etc. If visitors to the plaque site will need to go through security, or make an appointment, please give the contact information visitors will need.


Are the original buildings extant?


Details of the plaque mounting:


How is the site protected/secured, and in what ways is it accessible to the public?


Who is the present owner of the site(s)?

Mr. Takeshi Sugiyama, President and CEO, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, and Mr. Nobuaki Kurumatani, President and CEO, Toshiba Corporation

What is the historical significance of the work (its technological, scientific, or social importance)? If personal names are included in citation, include justification here. (see section 6 of Milestone Guidelines)

The major historical significance concerning the ‘electric rice cooker’ and the ‘automated electric rice cooker’ is briefed in what follows.

1. Historical Background of Commercializing both ‘Electric Rice Cooker’ and ‘Automated Electric Rice Cooker’

In the past the rice cookers were operated by non-automated dedicated rice-cooking utensils, whereas at present they are by automated electric/gas rice cookers. The world’s first ‘electric rice cooker’ [1] and ‘automated electric rice cooker’ [2] were commercialized by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and Toshiba Corporation in 1923 and 1955, respectively [3, 4]. As for the former, its commercialization was carried out in the year when the Great Earthquake of 1923 occurred, and it was used restrictedly in shipping [4]. On the other hand, as for the latter, it was the first commercially successful rice cooker for home use [3], and its development contributed significantly to the rapid spread of home electrification in postwar Japan.

2. History of the Commercialization of Electric Rice Cookers

The ‘electric rice cooker’ released in 1923 by Mitsubishi was composed of a main pot, an inner cooking bowl to hold rice and water, and an electric heating element. The bowl filled with rice and water was heated until the water in the bowl boiled off. Since this rice cooker had no automatic turn-off facility, it had to be manually turned off when the temperature of water in the bowl rose to a certain point. Thus, in 1930 Mitsubishi managed to attach an automatic turn-off facility to the rice cooker so that the cooker could be automatically turned off when the temperature of water in the bowl rose above the boiling point, where it should be added that this renewed rice cooker with a turn-off facility was still used in shipping [4].

3. History of the Commercialization of Automated Electric Rice Cookers

The ‘automated electric rice cooker’ developed in 1955 by Toshiba using a double-chamber indirect rice cooking method, was the first commercially successful rice cooker for home use [3]. When the water in the cooking bowl boiled off, the temperature of the bowl rose rapidly. A bimetallic thermostat then activated, and automatically turned off the cooker to prevent burning of the cooked rice. The commercialization of this rice cooker made such a big success that Toshiba produced 200,000 units per month for the Japanese market [3, 4]. Four years later, rice cookers could be found in half of Japanese homes [3].

What obstacles (technical, political, geographic) needed to be overcome?

In the early development phase the electric rice cookers encountered a number of obstacles as outlined below.

1. Obstacles to the Development of Electric Rice Cookers

The ‘electric rice cooker’ was developed by Mitsubishi using the simple concept of heating the rice to cook and turning off the cooker when the temperature of water in the bowl rose to a certain point. This method was influenced by the variation of room temperature so greatly that under-cooked rice was often produced. Thus, in the early development phase many makers continued to experience failures in their ongoing trial-and-error approaches [3].

2. Obstacles to the Commercialization of Automated Electric Rice Cookers

Toshiba’s double-chamber indirect cooking model of the ‘automated electric rice cooker’, took more time for rice cooking and also consumed more electricity than Mitsubishi’s cooking model of the ‘electric rice cooker’. In addition, since it had no keep-warm function, the cooked rice had to be moved to heat-insulated serving containers. Hence, this model began to be phased out in the late 1950s, until in 1965 Zojirushi Corporation embarked on commercializing electric rice cookers with a keep-warm function, using a semiconductor heat regulator. The product sold 2,000,000 units per year [3, 4].

What features set this work apart from similar achievements?

Both the ‘electric rice cooker’ and the ‘automated electric rice cooker’ had distinctive features as outlined below.

1. Unique Development of Electric Rice Cookers

In old times the rice cookers were run by non-automated dedicated rice-cooking utensils, which have an ancient history (e.g. a ceramic rice steamer dated to 1250 BC is on display in the British Museum [3]). Since the world’s first ‘electric rice cooker’ commercialized by Mitsubishi had no automatic turn-off function, it required constant monitoring during cooking. Thus, Mitsubishi made desperate efforts to realize the turn-off function, until in 1930 they managed to attach an automatic turn-off facility to the rice cooker, where it should be noted that these renewed rice cookers with a turn-off function were still used in shipping [4].

2. Rice Cookers with Automatic Turn-Off Facility

The world’s first ‘automated electric rice cooker’ commercialized by Toshiba employed a double-chamber indirect rice cooking method. Although this cooker was equipped with an automatic turn-off facility, it had no keep-warm feature, and hence the cooked rice cooled down so quickly that it was often necessary to move the cooked rice to heat-insulated serving containers. Thus, even though Toshiba produced 200,000 rice cookers per month, their utility began to be phased out in the late 1950s, and rice cookers with a keep-warm function were strongly required. Eventually, in 1965 Zojirushi started commercializing a novel rice cooker with a keep-warm facility, using a semiconductor heat regulator. The product sold 2.000.000 units per year [3, 4].

3. Subsequent Development of Electric Rice Cookers

Since the 1980s, higher-end electric rice cookers had employed microprocessors to control the cooking process, incorporating a memory together with an electric timer to be used for setting the desired 'ready time'. In addition, since the 1990s Japanese makers had been attempting to compete by seeking a niche in models with added values by increasing the number of features of their products. Eventually, more advanced ideas had been sought for microprocessor-controlled cooking, pressure cooking, induction heating, applying thermal far-infrared radiation, steaming trays for other foods, and so forth [3, 4].

Supporting texts and citations to establish the dates, location, and importance of the achievement: Minimum of five (5), but as many as needed to support the milestone, such as patents, contemporary newspaper articles, journal articles, or chapters in scholarly books. 'Scholarly' is defined as peer-reviewed, with references, and published. You must supply the texts or excerpts themselves, not just the references. At least one of the references must be from a scholarly book or journal article. All supporting materials must be in English, or accompanied by an English translation.

[1] http://www.goodspress.jp/columns/67395/2/ (in Japanese)

[2] http://allabout.co.jp/gm/gc/292625/ (in Japanese)

[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rice_cooker

[4] http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/炊飯器 (in Japanese)

Supporting materials (supported formats: GIF, JPEG, PNG, PDF, DOC): All supporting materials must be in English, or if not in English, accompanied by an English translation. You must supply the texts or excerpts themselves, not just the references. For documents that are copyright-encumbered, or which you do not have rights to post, email the documents themselves to ieee-history@ieee.org. Please see the Milestone Program Guidelines for more information.


Please email a jpeg or PDF a letter in English, or with English translation, from the site owner(s) giving permission to place IEEE milestone plaque on the property, and a letter (or forwarded email) from the appropriate Section Chair supporting the Milestone application to ieee-history@ieee.org with the subject line "Attention: Milestone Administrator." Note that there are multiple texts of the letter depending on whether an IEEE organizational unit other than the section will be paying for the plaque(s).

Please recommend reviewers by emailing their names and email addresses to ieee-history@ieee.org. Please include the docket number and brief title of your proposal in the subject line of all emails.