Sears Holdings Corporation, the publicly traded (NASDAQ: SHLD) parent of Kmart and Sears, Roebuck and Co., is the leading home appliance retailer in North America. The name "Kenmore" is a key propriety name used for appliances manufactured for Sears.
Kenmore brand products are sold exclusively by Sears Department Stores and Retail Outlets and through the company's website. However, through this website, fast delivery of your parts needs can be provided by entering your model or part number in the search area provided above.
| 1927 | The name "Kenmore" first appeared on a Sears laundry appliance, an agitator type, wringer washing machine. |
| 1929 | Kenmore appeared for the first time on a wringer washer. |
| 1933 | Sears introduced the Kenmore Toperator, designed by pioneer industrial designer Henry Dreyfuss. The Toperator marked a historic achievement in automatic washing machine technology, with wash, drain, and wringer controls in a central location for the first time and a speckled porcelain enamel finish. |
| 1936 | The 1 millionth Kenmore laundry appliance was sold |
| 1941 | The auto-timer feature was added to washing machines, which automatically shuts off the machine at a pre-set time. |
| 1942 | Sales of many Kenmore brand items ceased at the start of World War II. Only customers with demonstrated needs could buy items made with rationed materials. |
| 1946 | Kenmore gas and electric ranges were reintroduced after production stopped during World War II. Sears simplified its appliance brands and used Kenmore and Coldspot on all appliances. |
| 1947 | Searsoffered its first automatic, agitator-type Kenmore washer, which featured one-speed, one water level, one cycle and three water temperatures. More than 20,000 washers were sold. |
| 1948 | Sears introduced the first Kenmore automatic electric clothes dryer |
| 1951 | Sears introduced Kenmore dishwashers and portable dishwashers |
| 1957 | Sears introduced Kenmore Turbo-Matic, the first washer-dryer combination. The 10 millionth Kenmore was sold. Sears introduced the Wash 'N Wear cycle with automatic shut-off for dryers, a built-in washer filter, and an automatic bleach dispenser. |
| 1967 | Kenmore was the first dryer to feature the Wrinkle-Guard system. It tumble-dries clothes for 10 seconds every 5 minutes after the cycle is complete to prevent wrinkles. |
| 1969 | Kenmore introduced the first pre-soak cycle with automatic advance-to-wash cycle. |
| 1970 | The Kenmore trash compactor was introduced. |
| 1971 | Kenmore began selling microwave ovens. |
| 1973 | Sears debuted Kenmore ranges with a continuous-cleaning feature.(Continuous-clean ovens are made with a special coating so most splatters burn off during normal cooking) |
| 1977 | Kenmore replaced Coldspot as the brand name for Sears'refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and dehumidifiers |
| 1978 | The 50 millionth Kenmore washer was sold. |
| 1980 | Kenmore added solid-state controls to dishwashers and to its line of ranges, including a solid-state oven timer. |
| 1982 | Kenmore introduced a major innovation to refrigerators: clean-back styling. The coils are hidden, making the units cleaner, and the refrigerator can be pushed back against the wall. |
| 1987 | Kenmore celebrated its 60th anniversary. Kenmore sales totaled more than 17 million ranges, nearly 42 million washers and 29 million dryers. |
| 1990 | The Kenmore Prestige Collection debuted, with stylish colors, and white-on-white and black-on-black. |
| 1991 | Kenmore added the Done-Time feature to washing machines, which allows the user to set a time for the wash to finish. |
| 1992 | Kenmore ranges were sold with the new Euro-Design, a flush design giving a more built-in look. The sleek cook top gives the range a low-profile look. |
| 1993 | Kenmore Super Efficient Refrigerator Program (SERP) refrigerators became available, exceeding federal energy standards by 29 percent. |
| 2001 | The Kenmore Elite HE3t washer debuted, with the greatest water and energy efficiency of any leading U.S. brand. The design features a concave glass window. New Kenmore Elite refrigerators use the same energy as a 75-watt bulb. New Kenmore models exceed the Department of Energy's energy standards by 15 percent. |
| 2002 | Kenmore celebrated its 75th anniversary. As the official home appliance supplier for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, Sears offered Kenmore and other appliances for use by the athletes in the Olympic Village, plus competition and non-competition venues. |
| Today | Kenmore continues to be a strong leader in the appliance industry and is ranked one or two in every major appliance category |