A Brief History of The Coffee Maker

Coffee's history is filled with fascinating stories. One of the most well-known tales is that of Kaldi, a 9th-century Ethiopian goat herder. He noticed his goats became unusually energetic after eating berries from a particular tree, later identified as the coffee tree. This discovery is believed to be the first interaction between humans and coffee beans.

By the 16th century, these coffee beans had made their way to Europe, largely thanks to trade routes. Once brewed into coffee, it quickly became a favorite, especially in Italy. However, the introduction of coffee wasn't so smooth for everyone. Some advisors to Pope Clement VIII deemed it suspicious, even going so far as to label it as “the bitter invention of Satan.” Instead of making a hasty decision, the Pope tried the drink himself. Impressed by its taste, he gave coffee his approval and blessing, which only fueled its growing popularity.

As coffee became a household staple in the US, there was a push for better ways to brew it. Hanson Goodrich, an Illinois-based farmer and inventor, played a pivotal role in this endeavor. In 1889, he earned a patent for his stovetop percolator, a significant advancement in home coffee brewing. The early 20th century brought more innovations. Hazel MacNaught Bridges from Massachusetts developed a glass vacuum brewer and later handed her patent to the Silex Company. Then, in 1930, Inez H. Pierce from Chicago patented the first vacuum coffee maker, a precursor to today's modern coffee machines.