Evolution of the Coffee Maker
The earliest coffee brewing methods involved boiling the coffee and water together. Filtering of the grounds was an option. As you can imagine, this made for an overly bitter and rather disgusting brew.
Around 1710, the Infusion brewing process was introduced in France. Infusion called for enclosing the coffee grounds in a linen bag, called a ‘biggin’. The biggin was filled with coffee, closed with a drawstring and submersed into hot water within the pot. The grounds were allowed to steep or “infuse” until the desired strength was achieved. During this time the coffee pot consisted of a metal container which had a spout or spigot.
Coffee makers continued to evolve throughout the 18th century. New methods for separating the grounds were developed, and elaborate urns were developed. It was during this period that inner chambers and outer jackets were invented. These innovations allowed coffee to be kept warm for extended periods of time.
It was also around this time that the French Drip Pot was developed in Europe. In this method of brewing coffee, two chambers were stacked one upon the other, with a cloth filter placed in between. Ground coffee was packed into the upper chamber and boiling water poured over it. As the coffee brewed, it slowly dripped into the lower chamber. This brewing process took a considerable amount of time and led to a weak cup.
The 19th century brought the invention of the espresso machine and the glass vacuum pot. The earliest glass vacuum pots appear to have been in use in Germany around 1830. One of the first glass vacuum pot patents was filed in France by Madame Jeanne Richard in 1838. Here’s a little known fact that you probably aren’t aware of… the madams of brothels were instrumental in the invention of coffee brewers. They served a lot of coffee and had time to discuss their thoughts on what would make the perfect brewing machine. In fact, during this period, women received as many coffee brewing patents as men.
Around the same time the glass vacuum pot was invented, a similar coffee brewing machine was also invented. This was the percolator coffee pot. While the glass vacuum pot heated the entire bowl of water and forced it up to a top bowl; the percolator heated only the water at the bottom of the pot. The percolator coffee pot is still in use today.
The 20th century brought a revolution in commercial coffee makers. In 1915, Corning Glass Work’s introduced a coffee maker made from Pyrex. This ovenproof glass was marketed under the name “Silex.”
The rights to the design had been acquired in 1909 by two sisters, Mrs. Ann Bridges and Mrs. Sutton, of Salem, Massachusetts. The two sisters sold a large number of their Silex brewers to hotels and sandwich shops, making their name synonymous with commercial coffee makers.
During the 1930s, coffee makers were further revolutionized with the addition of electricity. One of the first electric coffee machines was made by Willy Brandl. The most innovative invention of the electric coffee maker was the switch that turned it off at the right time. A little mercury float switch was mounted into the center top piece, which turned off the heat when the water level got too low.
In 1933, Dr. Ernest Illy invented the first automatic espresso coffee machine. The espresso coffee makers that are in use today were created by Italian, Achilles Gaggia in 1946.
The next innovation in coffee makers came in 1942, when Harvey Cory designed his “rubberless” vacuum pot. Prior to his invention, coffee makers used a rubber gasket to form an airtight seal between the upper and lower containers. Cory’s design substituted the rubber gasket with a seal formed by two mechanically ground glass surfaces.
Throughout the 1940s, coffee makers evolved by leaps and bounds. Sunbeam introduced their line of “Coffeemaster” machines with slick polished chrome finish and electric vacuum brewers with automatic shut-off devices. General Electric introduced their “Automatic” model, which incorporated a unique, magnetically-activated device to control the brewing process.
The most major advancement in coffee machines came in the 1960s when the modern filter type coffee maker was developed. Perhaps one of the most well known coffee maker brands is Mr. Coffee. Mr. Coffee invented the automatic drip process in 1972 and later signed Joe DiMaggio as the spokesperson for their company. With Mr. DiMaggio’s endorsement, Mr. Coffee quickly became the best-selling coffeemakers in the United States.
Today, there are dozens of coffee maker choices. You can find espresso machines, drip coffee makers, percolators, French Drip, cappuccino makers, single cup coffee makers, and pod coffee makers.
