The air fryer: a kitchen gadget that has rapidly achieved world domination. But how did this countertop convection oven become so ubiquitous? BBC Two’s “The Secret Genius of Modern Life” returns this Wednesday to uncover the surprising origins of this kitchen marvel.
Presenter Hannah Fry examines the air fryer’s rise to prominence, taking viewers inside the labs of Philips, the company that first brought the air fryer to market. The story, as it turns out, involves a bit of accidental genius and a lot of clever engineering.
Fry unearths the story behind Nichrome, a specialized wire, invented in the early 1900s that played a crucial role in the air fryer’s development. But the real spark of inspiration? A WWII pilot’s dissatisfaction with cold in-flight meals and the tinkering spirit of one determined individual in his garage. It’s a story of how seemingly unrelated events and inventions can converge to create something that transforms everyday life.
From cold dinners to crispy perfection, “The Secret Genius of Modern Life” reveals how the air fryer has changed the way we cook. Tune in to BBC Two on Wednesday, April 2 at 8:00 PM to discover the full story.
