Before the Crockpot became a kitchen icon, it started as the dream of an inventive mind who wanted families to come home to a hot meal. In this episode of What Were They Thinking?, we dive into the story of Irving Naxon, the man behind the humble slow cooker, and how his childhood memories of his grandmother’s stew inspired one of the most enduring appliances of the 20th century.

From an overlooked patent to a nationwide craze, discover how a simple idea reshaped American kitchens, gave working families a new kind of freedom, and became a cultural phenomenon. It’s more than just a story about a pot—it’s about vision, persistence, and the slow-cooked path to changing how we eat.

Whether you love quirky invention stories, kitchen history, or tales of everyday genius, this is an episode worth pressing play on.

What Were They Thinking? is a podcast uncovering the stories behind the inventions that changed our world. Follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a friend who loves a good origin story.