The use of appliances can be traced back many years, but the first gas or electric-powered appliance wasn't invented until the 20th-century. The first home appliances invented were the refrigerator and kettle. Following World War II, the economy expanded and more people went back to work. In an attempt to improve productivity and minimize the time it took to complete household duties, many of these appliances were sold to residential consumers
The increase in income during this time period also made home appliances more affordable to most consumers. Home appliances picked up in popularity in the 1980s, and nearly every household owned the major home appliances, including refrigerators, stoves, ovens, and microwave ovens. Concerns of energy use arose in the 1980s with the increase of use, and the government stepped in to put requirements on the top manufacturers, requiring them to reduce energy consumption year over year.