Born in 1849 Joseph Lee was involved in the food industry from a young age! He was born in Boston and worked in a bakery during his youth. Who knew the future he had ahead of himself at that point!

He eventually opened two very successful restaurants in the Boston area and in the late 1890s he owned the Woodland Park Hotel in Newton, MA.

In 1902 he started Lee Catering Company and served the affluent people Boylston Street in the Back Bay, whilst also operating Squantum Inn, a summer resort in South Shores.

He was a busy man, a business man! And he became interested in saving bread at his restaurants so developed and patented a device to make breadcrumbs from day old bread in 1895. He sold the rights and through the Royal Worcester Bread Crumb Company of Boston got the invention making bread crumbs in restaurants around the world.

After this success he further wanted to improve food processes and he invented a bread machine that could do the work of six people, it mixed and kneaded the dough, much more hygienically, quicker and more efficient. The product was said to be off a better quality too!

His patent for this machine is the basis for bread machines used until this day.

Lee died of pulmonary tuberculosis on June 11, 1908.