The Original Slow Cooker Was Born in Chicago
Irving Naxon invented the Crock-Pot, originally called the Naxon Beanery, in the 1930s. He got the idea from his Orthodox Jewish mother who tossed ingredients in a pot to cook cholent overnight for Shabbat. Cooking on Shabbat was forbidden, but this method allowed her to still serve a hot meal. The Crock-Pot was sold at big Chicago department stores like Sears and Montgomery Ward, and it was marketed as an efficient and inexpensive way to make dinner, especially for working mothers. We talk to Irving Naxon’s daughter, Lenore, who has become the unofficial historian of the Crock-Pot.
If you haven't yet, remember to vote for us as Best Podcast and Best Newsletter in the Chicago Reader's "Best of Chicago 2021" poll under the "City Life" category.
Some Good News:
Tomorrow Never Knows 2022 starts tonight! Find out more info and get tickets on their website.
Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago
Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Stay connected to City Cast Chicago and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Is Chicago's New Parking Deal Better? Plus, 2020 Time
Last week, the City Council voted to approve the sale of Chicago’s Parking meters to a New York-based investment firm. After months of ba...
Why Did Wieners Circle Shade the Mayor? Plus, Soxtober Returns
Today we’re joined by Jessica Mordacq from Austin Weekly News/Forest Park Review and Block Club Chicago’s Patrick Filbin. We’re reacting...
Your Guide to October 2026 in Chicago
As we enter the home stretch of 2026, we’ve got your guide for October. We’re talking Sox hats, budget battles, early voting, apple orcha...
Deadly Month For Cyclists. Plus, Best of the South Side
Chicago has over 70% more cycling accidents through September than this same period in 2021, including multiple fatal crashes involving s...
Why Block Club Sued ICE
It took Block Club Chicago’s investigative reporter Mick Dumke 11 months to get one page of records from ICE about the clash between its...
Can Mayoral Candidates Double Dip? Plus, Ford City’s Future
Mayoral candidate Bill Quinlan’s lawsuit aims to block Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, and Cook Co...
How Chicago Latinos Are Changing Neighborhoods
Little Village was once known as the city's largest Latino neighborhood, but a new report found Belmont Cragin now has the largest Latino...
Art Institute Returns Nazi-Looted Painting. Plus, Fourth Shedd Beluga Dies
The Art Institute of Chicago is returning a 113-year-old painting to the family of its original owner after an investigation revealed it...
Why Are There Sukkahs in North Lawndale? Plus, Chicago’s Queer-Affirming Churches
Contributors Anna DeShawn and Adora Namigadde join us with picks from the Chicago Underground and International Film Festivals. Plus, we...
Are Illinois’ County Jails in Crisis? Plus, Big Changes at MSI
Following a historic number of deaths in 2023, growing concerns over standards violations, and an investigation into ongoing unreporting,...