Background
He was born in Troy, New York, the grandson of the American Revolutionary War military veteran Cornelius Swartwout.
He was born in Troy, New York, the grandson of the American Revolutionary War military veteran Cornelius Swartwout.
The earliest waffle irons were not the work of Mr. Swartwout; instead, they originated in the Netherlands circa 14th century, and Swartwout family lineage goes back to the Dutch Low Countries. They were typically made of two hinged iron plates connected to two long wooden handles, the plates often imprinted elaborate patterns on the waffles, coat of arms, landscapes, religious symbols, and the like.
These irons were held over a hearth fire for baking.
On August 24th, 1869, Swartwout was awarded a United States patent for an "Improvement in Waffle-Irons", consisting of a novel handle for opening, closing and turning a stovetop waffle iron. His invention looked nothing like modern electric models, but its design revolutionized how waffles were made.
Fashioned to sit on wood or gas stoves, the cast-iron plates were joined by a hinge that swiveled in a cast-iron collar. In memory of Swartwout"s patent, National waffle day in the United States is celebrated on August 24th each year.
