Dishmaker facts for kids
The Dishmaker was a special machine. It could make cups, bowls, and plates from flat plastic discs. When you were done using them, it could turn them back into flat discs! It was about the same size as a dishwasher you might have at home. This machine could hold hundreds of discs, ready to become dishes.
What is the Dishmaker?
The Dishmaker was a clever invention that helped reuse dishes. It worked with a type of plastic called acrylic. Think of acrylic as a strong, clear plastic often used for windows or signs. The machine would heat these flat acrylic discs. Then, it would shape them into dishes like cups or plates.
How Does it Work?
The process of shaping the plastic is called thermoforming. This means heating the plastic until it's soft, then molding it into a new shape. When you finished eating, you would put the used dishes back into the Dishmaker. The machine would then heat them again. Because acrylic has a special "shape-memory" quality, it could return to its original flat disc shape. This meant the same plastic could be used over and over again!
Who Invented the Dishmaker?
The Dishmaker was designed by a person named Leonardo Bonanni. He created it for a group called the Counter Intelligence Group. This group was part of the famous MIT Media Lab. The MIT Media Lab is a special place where people invent new technologies. The Counter Intelligence Group worked from 1999 to 2007. They focused on creating smart kitchens. Their goal was to make kitchens that could "remember" what was happening in them. The Dishmaker was one of their cool ideas for a more connected and efficient kitchen.
See also
In Spanish: Dishmaker para niños
