Presto

The History of Presto

Presto was founded in 1905 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where it manufactured industrial-size pressure canners, known as "canner retorts." In 1939 the company introduced the first saucepan-style pressure cooker and gave it the brand name "Presto," which soon became synonymous with pressure cooking. In 1949 Presto introduced its first electric appliance, the Presto vapor steam iron, and in the '50s, the company's line of pressure cookers was further expanded to include lighter-weight stamped aluminum models and the first line of stainless-steel pressure cookers. Presto furthered its reputation as an innovator with a complete line of fully submersible electric cooking appliances (1956), the introduction of the HotDogger hot dog cooker (1960), the revolutionary PrestoBurger hamburger cooker (1974), the FryBaby electric deep fryer (1976), and the PopcornNow hot air corn popper (1978). In the '80s, as many consumers were demanding less fat and more fresh vegetables and fruits, the company introduced the SaladShooter electric slicer/shredder. The company's inventive nature hasn't stopped in the new century, either, as it unveiled The Pizzazz pizza oven in 2000. Forecasting the needs of the American consumer and seeking to fill those needs through a consistent program of product innovation, quality manufacturing, and aggressive marketing has been the objective of National Presto Industries for 100 years and will continue to be in the years ahead.