Who Invented the Coffee Maker? A Historical Overview

On December 26, 1865, James Mason invented the first coffee maker in Germany. Learn more about its history and how it has evolved over time.

Who Invented the Coffee Maker? A Historical Overview

Coffee has been around for centuries, but it wasn't until the 19th century that the first coffee maker was invented. On December 26, 1865, James Mason created the first coffee maker in Germany. An inventor named Loeff from Berlin introduced it in 1830, and Madame Marie-Fanny-Ameline Vassieux perfected it in 1841 (France). This invention quickly spread throughout Europe and the United States, becoming a popular way to make coffee until the beginning of the 20th century.

In 1873, MELITTA BENTZ invented a primitive version of what we now call a coffee machine. This was followed by Inez H. Pierce's automated “vacuum cleaner” for making coffee in 1930, and Sunbeam's Coffee Master in 1938. The espresso machine is one of the oldest methods of brewing modern coffee. It uses water and steam under pressure to make coffee quickly and with a stronger flavor than other methods.

Melitta Bentz is credited with inventing this type of coffee maker, although she was not the first person to do so. The drip brewing method of coffee with a coffee maker is also relatively new. The first known type of coffee maker, the cezve or ibrik, dates back to ancient Arab merchants. By the 1970s, English pots had returned to the fluid style of Turkish jug.

Drip coffee makers are easy to use and some have lots of features, making them incredibly popular. The first “coffee machine” was invented in 1802 by French pharmacist FRANCOIS ANTOINE DESCROISILLES, who connected two metal containers with a plate with holes (what today would be a strainer or filter). For many years, preparing a coffee beverage was a simple process that involved grinding roasted coffee beans and putting them in a pot of hot water to allow the brewing process. The history of the coffee machine is extensive because there have been many inventions, patents and systems during the second half of the 19th century and the first year of the 20th century. Today, there are many different types of coffee makers available on the market.

From espresso machines to drip brewers, each one offers its own unique flavor and convenience. No matter which type you choose, you can be sure that you're enjoying a cup of coffee made from an invention that has been around for centuries.

Glenna Matthys
Glenna Matthys

Hardcore internet practitioner. Wannabe beer advocate. Infuriatingly humble beer expert. Devoted coffee evangelist. Hardcore social media scholar. Friendly beer fanatic.