What is true of the future was also true of the past. BSH's history spans more than 55 years, during which time the company has been a driving force for technological and social development through its products. Through a timeline and a retrospective of 55 years of advertising, we demonstrate the impact that BSH products have had over time and their positive influence on quality of life. From this, we can derive structures that may be transferable to the future and help us answer the question of how we want to live tomorrow.
BSH and its predecessor brands have always been characterized by technical innovations. The first electric vacuum cleaners, refrigerators and modern automatic washing machines were technological milestones on the company’s road to success.
Every time something new happened in the field of home appliances, the BSH brands were right there at the cutting edge. And through it all, the focus has always been on one clear objective – making the lives of people, especially housewives, easier. Modern appliances provided time and energy for other things than housework. BSH home appliances became a driving force for not only technical but also social development, and have remained so to this day. An overview.
The Unlimited 10 from Bosch redefines vacuuming. The flexible cordless vacuum cleaner is equipped with the unique MicroClean™ Technology, which removes even invisible particles and thus ensures perfect vacuuming results on all floors.
Gaggenau's fully integrated induction is distilled to the essentials: Cooking takes place directly on the worktop. A discreet LED dot and the iconic Gaggenau control knob (available in stainless steel or black) are the only visible elements.
Flex Control® is one of the cornerstones of a unique, holistic kitchen concept from NEFF, which is dedicated to flexibility. With Flex Control®, consumers can control their oven and coffee machine according to their individual preferences: by touch or Twist Pad Flex® rotary knob.
The iQ700 oven range is the centerpiece of the line-up of Siemens’ connected and AI-enhanced high-end products, offering outstanding cooking results and a high level of flexibility to the entire culinary journey.
The FreshUp from Bosch is a revolutionary portable fabric refresher with Bosch Plasma Technology that removes unpleasant odours from textiles without washing them. Thanks to smart plasma management, it is ideally suited for delicate fabrics.
BSH's new generation of dishwashers is a milestone for smart home appliances. Thanks to the integrated SystemMaster microprocessor, dishwashers from all our brands, from entry-level to premium model, can be connected, adding value to the kitchen and meeting consumer needs.
The connected multifunctional kitchen machine Cookit offers three gateways for real home cooking: Consumers can choose from over 200 pre-installed "guided cooking" recipes with simple step-by-step instructions or they can rely on the support of a wide range of automatic programs. In addition, the Cookit provides unlimited flexibility with its manual cooking mode.
Siemens’ side-by-side refrigerator offers a one-stop food journey solution: two cameras in the fridge, combined with object recognition software that recognizes the most fundamental food stock, as well as radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags inside the freezer allow the appliance to know what is inside. Thus, consumers can use smart food management functions like an inventory list, expiration reminders and storage suggestions.
Feel the freedom with a cordless cleaner: Bosch cordless vacuum cleaner are powerful, lightweight and agile to deliver maximum performance and convenience on whatever floor surface you have. The interchangeable battery packs with fast charging offer continuous runtime.
Functionality, user-friendliness and design – Bosch pours all of its 60 years of experience in food processors into the design of the OptiMUM. With an integrated scale, timer and advanced sensor technology, it takes on more tasks than any Bosch food processor has ever managed before – and thanks to its automatic programs, it does all of this independently.
Refrigerators with active storage humidification inject a fine watery mist into the vegetable drawer. Like in grocery stores, the additional humidity creates an optimal climate to allow for best freshness results for a longer period. Fresh produce retain their vitamins longer whilst keeping their typical aroma, crispiness and color.
As an exclusive world first, Gaggenau presents a fully automatic cleaning system for all 400 series steam ovens with a direct connection to the water supply. The steam chamber is cleaned hygienically with a cleaning cartridge and water.
Siemens washing machines with sensoFresh technology make it fast and simple to remove odors from all kind of fabrics and clothes, even dry clean only items and delicates. The revolutionary active oxygen technology neutralises smells without the need for water or detergents.
It all starts in 2014 with ovens and dishwashers. Then in 2015, BSH also introduced washing machines, dryers and fridge-freezers equipped with the Home Connect function.
The cordless hand-held vacuum cleaner can reach any place where there is dust – no matter where the sockets are. Thanks to its lithium-ion technology, the Athlet has just as much suction power as a conventional Bosch vacuum cleaner.
New freedom in the kitchen – a single large cooking surface with full-surface induction allows for pots and pans to be placed anywhere. In addition, the TFT touch display shows the shape, size and position of the cookware.
The automatic i-DOS dosing system allows for to-the-milliliter accurate dosing of detergent and thus reduces water consumption. The new technology is available, for example, in the Siemens iQ 800 premium washing machine. From 2011 onwards, it also comes with Home Connect and easy operation by app – from anywhere.
The low water consumption of the new 7-liter dishwashers allows for unrivaled efficiency and water conservation. Now that’s sustainable!
SensorBagless technology ensures an optimal performance level of floor cleaning even when using bagless vacuum cleaners.
Dishwashers with a zeolite drying system are the most economical yet. This world first makes use of the natural mineral zeolite’s ability for storing moisture and ensures low energy consumption.
The intelligent heating system in the new premium automatic coffee machine from Siemens guarantees a delightful espresso due to a constantly ideal brewing temperature.
The introduction of the Tassimo series revolutionizes coffee brewing with the multiple beverage machines and its so-called T DISCs. The Bosch Tassimo is manufactured in cooperation with the partner Kraft Foods. It not only has the shortest heat-up times, but is also the best energy-saving and most compact appliance on the market.
Innovative heat pump technology abandons the traditional heating wire and uses air heat for drying clothes. Thus, the first heat pump dryers from BSH greatly reduce energy consumption.
Dishwashers are now available with VarioSpeed technology. Full performance at double the speed saves time.
With AquaVario technology, sensors detect the right water pressure and new cleaning agents. These innovative characteristics make BSH the market leader in dishwashers. New operating concepts such as TouchControl and InfoLight are also introduced.
With a fully retractable oven door, SLIDE&HIDE from NEFF creates space for convenient access to the inside of the oven.
Innovative concepts such as TouchControl and slider technology simplify handling and facilitate intuitive operation. In 2003, Neff develops the TwistPad, a detachable magnetic one-button control for stoves that is elegant, safe and easy to clean.
A steam oven connected to the water supply creates a new trend – gentle steam cooking. Asian cuisine, in particular, owes its success in the western world to this method.
The VitaFresh compartments inside the fridge always maintain the right storage conditions, thanks to two different climate zones: In the top, drier zone, with a low temperature setting about 0° C, fish and meat can be hygienically stored in two separate drawers – with no odor transfer. An additional big bottom drawer with adjustable humidity keeps fruits and vegetables fresh longer.
The BSH subsidiary Constructa sets new standards for washing machines. Equipped with the fuzzy control system, sensors detect the fill quantity of the machine and can thereby adapt the washing time and spin cycle to the laundry. This technology makes it possible to reduce water and electricity consumption by approximately 50 percent.
Sustainable thinking: BSH converts its European production to CFC-free refrigerators and from 1994 also bans any use of CFCs in European BSH refrigerators.
The first dishwasher with a width of only 45cm, such as the GV430 series, is the star of the 1987 Domotechnica trade fair. Sales of 45cm dishwashers soon shoot sky high.
The smoothly operating, ball-bearing CLOU from NEFF, a tilt-proof, multi-level telescopic oven shelf rail, is launched in 1987.
The first 90 cm-wide oven on the European market has a large effective volume of 87 liters and provides space for up to four roasts. The EB 300 becomes an icon.
In 2016, the year of its 333rd anniversary, Gaggenau launches the EB 333 as homage to the EB 300. This updated version appears in a more modernized form and functionality, while remaining true to its origins. A distinctive feature is the stainless steel door that reaches across the entire width of the oven.
AquaStop technology offers 100% protection against water damage caused by washing machines. The patent application is lodged in 1982, with the technology introduced in 1985, for example in the Constructa CONTURA and the Bosch SMS 9022. AquaStop is a pioneering success. In its first year, sales figures exceed production capacity. AquaStop has been a standard in washing machines since 1986 – even among its competitors.
The Siemens VS 5 standard vacuum cleaner has a production output of more than four million. This is followed in 1984 by the Siemens Black Energy, which soon attains cult status with its sophisticated design.
The successful SIWAMAT series continues to grow throughout the 1970s. In 1970, the SIWAMAT 450 automatic washing machine with its numerous programs and functions is added to the premium class. This is followed by the appearance of the first automatic washer-dryer in 1972. The front loaders SIWAMAT V472 with 800 rpm and the SIWAMAT 484 with 1000 rpm appear in 1979. At the beginning of the 1980s, the first fully electronic washing machine, the SIWAMAT 870 electronic, selects the most economical program itself and displays the progress of the washing process.
In 1970, Siemens introduces the Meisterkoch series, which blows the market away with an outstanding range of operations and flexible function. In 1981, the Meisterkoch universal stove is launched. This is a built-in cooker that owes its success to a combination of top and bottom heating, convection, grill, microwave and self-cleaning by pyrolysis. An oven carriage facilitates access to baked goods.
This multifunction oven with its CircoTherm hot air system and glass front provides insight in the kitchen. CircoTherm still stands for high-quality NEFF ovens to this day.
In 1952, Bosch launches its first electrically operated universal food processor, the Neuzeit I.
In 1951, Constructa introduces the first fully automatic washing machine to the market. Designed by Peter Pfenningsberg, its most prominent feature is its porthole. By 1955, its successor model, the Constructa Deluxe 100, already has an 80 percent market share – and this in competition with 30 other suppliers.
In 1933, Bosch introduces the first electric refrigerator. It has a round shape and a capacity of 60 liters, and sells for 365 Reichsmark.
Shortly after the turn of the century, in 1906, Siemens launches its first vacuum cleaner on the market when it introduces the so-called dedusting pump.