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The mechanical mixer (eggbeater) revolutionized cooking

Willis Johnson was born in 1858 and became a house slave, responsible for cooking and chopping wood for woodburning stoves, as well as other duties. He invented the mechanical mixer—or eggbeater—to help in the kitchen, especially when creating chocolate, lemon, and coconut cakes. He became a master chef after the Civil War. He could not read or write at that time. Willis Johnson: Inventor shares this fascinating man’s life and accomplishments…and includes recipes for cake!