Willis Johnson

by Jerome T. Peoples

Willis Johnson was born in 1858 and became a house slave, responsible for cooking and chopping wood for woodburning stoves, as well as other duties. He invented the mechanical mixer-or eggbeater-to help in the kitchen, especially when creating chocolate, lemon, and coconut cakes. He became a master chef after the Civil War. He could not read or write at that time. Willis Johnson: Inventor shares this fascinating man's life and accomplishments...and includes recipes for cake!