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An Espresso History

© Katherine Austinson

Where, oh where did Espresso begin? That is the question! Is it nobler to drink espresso or ponder its beginnings? We shall concentrate hereforth on the latter.

In1901, Luigi Bezzera built the first coffee machine that contained a boiler and four divisions. Each could take varying sized filters that contained the coffee. Boiling water and steam were forced through the coffee and into the cup. It seems that this was the beginning. Then in 1905 The Pavoni company began manufacturing machines based on the Bezzera style machine. They mass produced these machines and in 1927 the first espresso machine was installed in the United States at Regio's in New York. Regio's still displays the machine and you can see it at

In 1938 Cremonesi developed a piston pump that forced hot (but not boiling) water through the coffee. Earlier espresso machines had forced steam through the coffee, causing a burnt flavor. This new design was first used at Achille Gaggia's coffee bar. After World War II, Gaggia begins manufacturing a commercial piston machine. This espresso coffee has a layer of foam just as we create today.

In 1961, M. Faema created a pump-based machine where the water forces through the coffee by an electric pump. Espresso machines have had many design changes in order to produce a consistent product. Early designs were based on the operator deciding when to stop the machine but now we rely on computerized automatic timers.

Do you own an espresso machine, or do you even like espresso, lattes and the like? Share with us in the comments section attached to this article - ponder a while with us the delicacies of espresso!

Where, oh where did Espresso begin? That is the question! Is it nobler to drink espresso or ponder its beginnings? We shall concentrate hereforth on the latter.

In1901, Luigi Bezzera built the first coffee machine that contained a boiler and four divisions. Each could take varying sized filters that contained the coffee. Boiling water and steam were forced through the coffee and into the cup. It seems that this was the beginning. Then in 1905 The Pavoni company began manufacturing machines based on the Bezzera style machine. They mass produced these machines and in 1927 the first espresso machine was installed in the United States at Regio's in New York. Regio's still displays the machine and you can see it at

In 1938 Cremonesi developed a piston pump that forced hot (but not boiling) water through the coffee. Earlier espresso machines had forced steam through the coffee, causing a burnt flavor. This new design was first used at Achille Gaggia's coffee bar. After World War II, Gaggia begins manufacturing a commercial piston machine. This espresso coffee has a layer of foam just as we create today.

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