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The term pressure cooker first appeared in print in 1915. The first commercial pressure cooker debuted in the United States at the New York World's Fair in 1939, made by National Presto Industries. It's defined as a saucepan with a locking lid that creates within intense steam heat to cook foods in a shorter period of time than a conventional saucepan. This process not only tenderizes tough foods, but also keeps flavor and nutrients within, producing a tastier, healthier meal. Today's pressure cookers are hi-tech wonders, with some even designed specifically for microwave use. Pressure canners are also very popular.

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