The Invention of the Bread Machine

An illustrated inventions story from Wonder Inventions — free to read, with narration.

The Invention of the Bread Machine — an illustrated inventions story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Inventions.

The Invention of the Bread Machine — book cover — Wonder Inventions
The Invention of the Bread Machine — an illustrated inventions story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Inventions.

Page 1

Imani sprawled on the living room floor, sketching in her notebook. "Mateo, hand me the bread, please," her mom called from the kitchen.
Imani sprawled on the living room floor, sketching in her notebook. "Mateo, hand me the bread, please," her mom called from the kitchen. Mateo sighed dramatically. "Seriously? Bread again? Who even invented this stuff, anyway?" Imani's head popped up. "That's a great question!"

Imani sprawled on the living room floor, sketching in her notebook. "Mateo, hand me the bread, please," her mom called from the kitchen. Mateo sighed dramatically. "Seriously? Bread again? Who even invented this stuff, anyway?" Imani's head popped up. "That's a great question!"

Page 2

Racing to her science-themed bedroom, Imani grabbed the glowing, ancient book from her shelf. "The Invention Encyclopedia will know!" she exclaimed, flipping it…
Racing to her science-themed bedroom, Imani grabbed the glowing, ancient book from her shelf. "The Invention Encyclopedia will know!" she exclaimed, flipping it open. As swirling light filled the room, she gasped, "Here we go again!" Mateo, hesitating at the doorway, couldn't resist the pull and joined Imani as the room dissolved around them.

Racing to her science-themed bedroom, Imani grabbed the glowing, ancient book from her shelf. "The Invention Encyclopedia will know!" she exclaimed, flipping it open. As swirling light filled the room, she gasped, "Here we go again!" Mateo, hesitating at the doorway, couldn't resist the pull and joined Imani as the room dissolved around them.

Page 3

They landed abruptly in a bustling kitchen. "Ugh, smells like... hard work," Mateo muttered, wrinkling his nose. A woman, sleeves rolled up, was grinding grain…
They landed abruptly in a bustling kitchen. "Ugh, smells like... hard work," Mateo muttered, wrinkling his nose. A woman, sleeves rolled up, was grinding grain with a heavy stone. Imani, holding her nose, asked, "Why not just buy bread at the store?" The woman looked up, her face weary. "Store? What store? Making bread is a daily chore!"

They landed abruptly in a bustling kitchen. "Ugh, smells like... hard work," Mateo muttered, wrinkling his nose. A woman, sleeves rolled up, was grinding grain with a heavy stone. Imani, holding her nose, asked, "Why not just buy bread at the store?" The woman looked up, her face weary. "Store? What store? Making bread is a daily chore!"

Page 4

Another woman nearby added, Another woman nearby added, “It takes all day! And sometimes, even then, it doesn’t rise.” Petra gasped.
Another woman nearby added, Another woman nearby added, “It takes all day! And sometimes, even then, it doesn’t rise.” Petra gasped. "Imagine if there was a machine to do it for us!" Marie Bequet nodded thoughtfully.

Another woman nearby added, Another woman nearby added, “It takes all day! And sometimes, even then, it doesn’t rise.” Petra gasped. "Imagine if there was a machine to do it for us!" Marie Bequet nodded thoughtfully.

Page 5

Suddenly, a woman with kind eyes and a determined expression entered.
Suddenly, a woman with kind eyes and a determined expression entered.

Suddenly, a woman with kind eyes and a determined expression entered.

Page 6

"It's amazing! What's your name?" Imani asked. "My name is Marie Bequet," she replied. "In 1903, I created something that automates part of the bread-making…
"It's amazing! What's your name?" Imani asked. "My name is Marie Bequet," she replied. "In 1903, I created something that automates part of the bread-making process." Marie explained, "With a small electric motor, I automated the kneading, freeing people from some of the drudgery." Mateo, scribbling in Imani's notebook, said: "A huge step!"

"It's amazing! What's your name?" Imani asked. "My name is Marie Bequet," she replied. "In 1903, I created something that automates part of the bread-making process." Marie explained, "With a small electric motor, I automated the kneading, freeing people from some of the drudgery." Mateo, scribbling in Imani's notebook, said: "A huge step!"

Page 7

Marie continued, "It wasn't perfect. It still needed someone to add the ingredients and bake the bread." She sighed, "But it reduced labor costs by nearly 50%!"…
Marie continued, "It wasn't perfect. It still needed someone to add the ingredients and bake the bread." She sighed, "But it reduced labor costs by nearly 50%!" Imani looked thoughtful. "So, more people could focus on other things?" Marie nodded. "Exactly! It's said that the bread machine industry contributes around 2 billion every year to the global economy."

Marie continued, "It wasn't perfect. It still needed someone to add the ingredients and bake the bread." She sighed, "But it reduced labor costs by nearly 50%!" Imani looked thoughtful. "So, more people could focus on other things?" Marie nodded. "Exactly! It's said that the bread machine industry contributes around 2 billion every year to the global economy."

Page 8

Years later, completely automatic machines followed! Mateo remembered Marie's words. "Wait, what was that number again? 2 billion? The market share seems great.
Years later, completely automatic machines followed! Mateo remembered Marie's words. "Wait, what was that number again? 2 billion? The market share seems great. Who knew bread machines had this great impact?" Just then, the familiar swirling light reappeared. "Time to go!" Imani called out. "Thanks, Marie!"

Years later, completely automatic machines followed! Mateo remembered Marie's words. "Wait, what was that number again? 2 billion? The market share seems great. Who knew bread machines had this great impact?" Just then, the familiar swirling light reappeared. "Time to go!" Imani called out. "Thanks, Marie!"

Page 9

Back in her bedroom, Imani slammed the encyclopedia shut. "Wow!" she exclaimed. "Marie Bequet – what an inventor!" Mateo grinned.
Back in her bedroom, Imani slammed the encyclopedia shut. "Wow!" she exclaimed. "Marie Bequet – what an inventor!" Mateo grinned. "And that first contraption – it still automated the kneading, just like you automated making breakfast this morning!" Imani suddenly remembered, "Oh no! I almost forgot!"

Back in her bedroom, Imani slammed the encyclopedia shut. "Wow!" she exclaimed. "Marie Bequet – what an inventor!" Mateo grinned. "And that first contraption – it still automated the kneading, just like you automated making breakfast this morning!" Imani suddenly remembered, "Oh no! I almost forgot!"

Page 10

Imani raced downstairs, book in hand, bursting into the kitchen. "Mom, I know who invented the bread machine! And guess what?
Imani raced downstairs, book in hand, bursting into the kitchen. "Mom, I know who invented the bread machine! And guess what? It helped people have more time to do other things!" Mateo added, "Maybe we should thank her by making some toast!" Petra laughed. "That sounds wonderful! Time to make the bread."

Imani raced downstairs, book in hand, bursting into the kitchen. "Mom, I know who invented the bread machine! And guess what? It helped people have more time to do other things!" Mateo added, "Maybe we should thank her by making some toast!" Petra laughed. "That sounds wonderful! Time to make the bread."

About this story

  • Audience: kids (ages 6–12)

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