 Another patent was granted to L.A. Alexander in 1865 that was similar to the first but featured a hand-cranked rack system.Neither device was practical or widely accepted.The most successful of the hand-powered dishwashers was invented in 1886 by Josephine Cochrane together with mechanic George Butters in Josephine's tool shed in Shelbyville, Illinois when Cochrane (a wealthy socialite) wanted to protect her china while it was being washed.