After I bought my electric kettle, my mother decided she really wanted one, too, so I bought one for her, and then she bought one for her mother. I think more Americans would have them, probably, if they knew they were even a thing.

Before that, I was mostly either microwaving water or using a stovetop kettle, which is kind of an annoying thing to do. At one point, my mother tried buying one of these things, which was just... stupid. It seemed like a ridiculously overcomplicated way to make tea, and it wasn't quick. (And, wow, does that article say a lot about tea-drinking in America, I think. OMG.)