Who Invented the Coffee Makers? – Love for Coffee Through the Years

Haven't you ever thought about the origin of your morning cup of coffee? This article will explain the entire history from innovation to the modernization of the coffee maker.
By
Samanta Fryer
Samanta Fryer
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Samanta Fryer is our senior editor and content writer, at CoffeeVibe. Apart from writing and reading, she’s fond of the coffee brewing process and enjoys tasting new coffe read more
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Ryan Hendricks
Ryan Hendricks
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Ryan Hendricks is our tester, who puts products through their paces. He used to be a barista and is now a full-time coffee enthusiast. He’s always testing out new gadgets, read more
Last updated: August 21, 2023
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In between sips, there are thoughts about the origin of a cup of coffee. Originally, who invented the coffee makers? Whether it’s a cup of black coffee, a homemade pumpkin spice latte, a shot of espresso, a mocha with whipped cream, or a delicious aromatic macchiato, the coffee maker is a staple throughout the world and especially in North America.

Within the average American home, coffee makers are a common sight. It’s more common to see a coffee maker than not. Over half (83%) of American citizens make coffee at home Trusted Source Americans making more coffee at home: poll | Reuters Daily coffee consumption in the United States was steady this year compared to 2008, while the number of people making their coffee at home rose, the National Coffee Association of U.S.A. www.reuters.com . Modern coffee machines such as the Capresso Coffee Team Pro Plus Glass have provided an increased level of convenience, quality, and simple innovation.

History of Coffee Makers: Who, When, Where?

Who Invented the Coffee Makers? – Love for Coffee Through the Years
Milanese engineer Luigi Bezzera introduced the first steam-powered coffee machine, similar to the one we are used to seeing in bars today.

Coffee makers started simple in comparison to what’s on the market today. The popularity of the plant that coffee is derived from is even earlier than most known as the origins are mostly rumors. The cup of coffee has been a staple in most homes since the 17th century in Europe. But it took another decade to be popularized throughout the world. Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world. The coffee maker inventor has brought joy to many people’s mornings.

Humans have always made coffee, which is a drink made from brewing roasted coffee beans that grow on the coffee plant. At first, this drink was made by merely putting the grounds into the water to infuse the beans. This technique now is known as cowboy coffee that only uses a mug, grounds, and hot water. As coffee-making techniques evolved, so did the tools. If you’re interested in modern and efficient ways to brew your coffee, explore our guide on how to use a Nespresso machine for a convenient and flavorful coffee experience.

The way coffee is brewed today, also known as drip brewing, didn’t become famous or efficient until the early 1900s.

Many inventors have gone into the creation and innovation of the coffee machine. Among those names are François Antoine Descroisilles, Luigi Bezzera, Melitta Bentz, Angelo Moriondo, James Nason, Attilio Calimani among many others.

The First Coffee Maker’s Inventor

Although it’s not only used for coffee, the first machine used to create a cup of coffee was a French pharmacist. The first technical coffee maker was a simple filter. Descroisilles created a dual-chambered metal container with a strainer in between as a kind of filter. He called his invention the Cafeolette. This was improved upon the most basic way to make coffee, as described previously. Coffee as a luxury and delicious drink is becoming more and more realized.

From the 1400s to the 1600s, coffee as a crop became more and more popular until it became a common agricultural crop throughout Europe and its colonies. The Boston Tea Party in America exponentially increased the popularity of the drink. Choosing coffee over tea nearly became a form of patriotic duty. In 1865 American James Nason created the first coffee percolator, while in 1869, another American named Hanson Goodrich improved upon his design.

The innovation of coffee machines didn’t end there, however. There’s more. In 1884 Angelo Moriondo designed the first industrial espresso machine. An Italian entrepreneur by the name of Luigi Bezzera improved upon the design in 1902.

Who Invented the Coffee Makers? – Love for Coffee Through the Years
Amalie Auguste Melitta Bentz was a German entrepreneur who invented the paper coffee filter brewing system in 1908.

Innovation continued. The very Amalia Melitta Bentz created the first drip brew coffee maker several decades later. The inventor of the drip coffee maker was a maker herself. As a German entrepreneur, she had experience in thinking outside of the box. By 2018 The Melitta company has grown to over 4,500 employees and over 1.5 billion sales.

Coffee Maker’s Timeline

When was the coffee maker invented? The answer to that is a bit hard to answer with a single year. There have been centuries of innovation and tweaks, and additions to the idea of the coffee maker. Below is a timeline of the history of coffee makers and coffee maker inventors, as well as the coffee context of the world Trusted Source The Most Popular Fast-Food Coffee Chains in the US | Insider Starbucks may be the best-known chain shop, it certainly has a lot of competition with Dunkin’, Peet’s, Caribou Coffee, and Tim Hortons. www.insider.com at the time.

YEAR

EVENT

1400s Coffee was prominent in Muslim communities for focus during long prayer sessions.
1600s The start of the European coffee trade has led to an increase in coffee farming.
1773 The Boston tea party increased coffee consumption, relating it to patriotic duty.
1800s Coffee’s popularity has increased throughout European countries.
1802 French pharmacist François Antoine Descroisilles creates the cafeolette.
1830 Loeff of Berlin invented the vacuum coffee machine.
1865 American James Nason created the first patent for a coffee percolator.
1869 American Hanson Goodrich improved upon Nason’s design for a coffee percolator.
1884 Angelo Moriondo creates the earliest known espresso machine.
1902 Luigi Bezzera improved the expresso machine for the hotel and service industry.
1908 Patent gave for a drip coffee machine by Melitta Bentz.
1929 Milanese designer Attilio Calimani invented the French press.
1950 The first Dunkin’ Donut’s coffee shop opened in Quincy, Massachusetts
1954 Gottlob Widmann created the electric drip coffee maker.
1960s Specialty coffee is gaining both awareness and interest.
1963 The first the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf opens in Southern California.
1964 Tim Horton opened the first Tim Horton store in Hamilton, Ontario
1971 The first Starbucks opens in Seattle.

 

There is a great degree of innovation to see From Attilio Calimani’s original French press to Bodum Columbia’s French Press with stainless steel and insulation for the hottest cup of coffee. There’s a lot of names in this timeline. All these inventors of coffee makers have aided a morning ritual for thousands of Americans.

Who knows what the future holds for the future of coffee makers? There are already new and upcoming designs for smart coffee makers from brands like Cuisinart, Hamilton, Ninja, and Keurig.

Modern Coffee Makers

Why did Melitta Bentz invent the first coffee maker? Why did Loeff of Berlin make the first vacuum coffee machine? Innovations at the time just didn’t make a good cup of coffee. Simply, it’s all about a good cup of coffee.

Modern coffee makers have evolved far past the hopes of its inventor. During the 1970s, Electric drip coffee makers were popularized in North America, replacing the percolator for home and commercial use. This pattern has continued decades later with a huge range of commercial coffee makers, including the versatile and powerful Ninja CP307 coffee maker, and a small-scale quality Keurig K1500. We also reviewed some of the best commercial espresso machines that will help to upgrade your business. Check it out if you are interested.

Final Thoughts

The timeline of the history of coffee is a long one with a lot of different names from around the world. With the first sip of coffee in the morning or the last sip of a coffee after a long day, there’s a list of people to appreciate. The people who invented the coffee makers have made many mornings easier. If you still don’t have a possibility to drink a cup of caffeinated hot drink at your workplace, we recommend you to check out our selection of the best office coffee makers.

The straightforward design of the original coffee maker is still seen in the modern coffee makers of the 21st century. Starting with a remarkably simple concept, coffee machines have evolved over the years. Regardless of what kind of coffee beverage, there’s still a commonality between them all; a good coffee maker. While taking that next sip of coffee, latte, or mocha, remember to thank all the people who invented the coffee makers. Because of these amazing inventors, coffee in the morning is a ritual for relaxation, clarity, and focus.

References

1.
Americans making more coffee at home: poll | Reuters
Daily coffee consumption in the United States was steady this year compared to 2008, while the number of people making their coffee at home rose, the National Coffee Association of U.S.A.
2.
The Most Popular Fast-Food Coffee Chains in the US | Insider
Starbucks may be the best-known chain shop, it certainly has a lot of competition with Dunkin’, Peet’s, Caribou Coffee, and Tim Hortons.

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