Josephine Cochrane was an American inventor born on March 8, 1839. She is best known for creating the first practical dishwasher in 1886. Frustrated with her servants breaking her fine china, she designed a machine that used water pressure to clean dishes efficiently. Cochrane's invention gained popularity, leading her to establish the Cochrane company, which produced dishwashers for commercial use. Her innovative design laid the foundation for modern dishwashing technology, and she became the first woman to patent a machine in the United States. She passed away on August 3, 1913, leaving a lasting legacy in household appliances.