Graniteware, technically enamelware, traces it's origins to Germany in the early 1800's. A process was developed to coat metals with an enamel finish and the earliest pieces were of solid color.

During a trip to Germany in 1874 William Niedringhaus, who along with his brother Frederick owned a kitchen utensil manufacturing company, noticed enameled utensils in a store display and ultimately ended up purchasing the process. Upon his return to St. Louis the brothers began working on manufacturing enamel coated utensils. The Niedringhaus version of enamelware was coated with ground granite. Graniteware was featured at the 1876 Philly Expo.

Like so many things, graniteware has become the "generic" term for enamelware. True graniteware would have it's origin in Granite City, Illinois.