Amana Corporation
Encyclopedia
The Amana Corporation is an American brand of household appliances. It was founded in 1934 by George Foerstner as The Electrical Equipment Co. in Middle Amana, Iowa
to manufacture commercial walk-in coolers. The business was later owned by the Amana Society
and became known as Amana Refrigeration, Inc.. It is now owned by Whirlpool Corporation.
In 1954, it began making air conditioners. Amana was acquired in 1965 by Raytheon
, which had invented the microwave oven
in 1947, and introduced the commercial Radarange Model 1611 in 1954. In 1967 Amana introduced a consumer model of the Radarange, the first popular microwave designed for home use.
Amana has since expanded into manufacturing a variety of other appliances including furnaces, ovens, countertop ranges, dishwashers, and clothes washers and dryers.
In 1997 the company was purchased by Goodman Global
, a heating-and-cooling manufacturer who sold it to Maytag (now part of Whirlpool) in 2002. Goodman still owns Amana's air conditioners and heater division and Amana home appliances are now owned and manufactured by Whirlpool Corporation. It continues to be innovative, introducing curved fronts to its refrigerators in 2000. and in 2009 collaborating with Thom Filicia
on a series of colorful designs which debuted at the International Builders' Show
in Las Vegas.
Middle Amana, Iowa
Middle Amana, Iowa is a location in Iowa County, Iowa. It is listed as the closest city to Amana Colonies, in its National Historic Landmark summary description....
to manufacture commercial walk-in coolers. The business was later owned by the Amana Society
Amana Colonies
The Amana Colonies are a group of settlements of radical German Pietists in Iowa, USA, comprising seven villages. Calling themselves the Ebenezer Society or the Community of True Inspiration , they first settled in New York state near Buffalo in what is now the Town of West Seneca...
and became known as Amana Refrigeration, Inc.. It is now owned by Whirlpool Corporation.
History
In 1947, Amana manufactured the first upright freezer for the home, and in 1949 it added a side-by-side refrigerator/freezer. In 1950, the company was sold to a group of investors including its founder, and became Amana Refrigeration, Inc.In 1954, it began making air conditioners. Amana was acquired in 1965 by Raytheon
Raytheon
Raytheon Company is a major American defense contractor and industrial corporation with core manufacturing concentrations in weapons and military and commercial electronics. It was previously involved in corporate and special-mission aircraft until early 2007...
, which had invented the microwave oven
Microwave oven
A microwave oven is a kitchen appliance that heats food by dielectric heating, using microwave radiation to heat polarized molecules within the food...
in 1947, and introduced the commercial Radarange Model 1611 in 1954. In 1967 Amana introduced a consumer model of the Radarange, the first popular microwave designed for home use.
Amana has since expanded into manufacturing a variety of other appliances including furnaces, ovens, countertop ranges, dishwashers, and clothes washers and dryers.
In 1997 the company was purchased by Goodman Global
Goodman Global
Goodman Global is a privately held company which manufactures commercial grade room air conditioners and specialty cooling products for residential and light commercial applications...
, a heating-and-cooling manufacturer who sold it to Maytag (now part of Whirlpool) in 2002. Goodman still owns Amana's air conditioners and heater division and Amana home appliances are now owned and manufactured by Whirlpool Corporation. It continues to be innovative, introducing curved fronts to its refrigerators in 2000. and in 2009 collaborating with Thom Filicia
Thom Filicia
Thom Filicia is an interior designer, most famous for his role as an interior design expert on the American television program Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. He is also a co-author of a book based on the show.-Biography:...
on a series of colorful designs which debuted at the International Builders' Show
International Builders' Show
The International Builders' Show is organized by the National Association of Home Builders and is the largest light construction building industry tradeshow in the United States. It is the only event of its kind, focusing specifically on the needs, concerns, and opportunities that face builders...
in Las Vegas.