The Evolution of Commercial Coffee Machines: From Steam to E61

Coffee lovers today take espresso machines for granted—but before 1900, brewing coffee under pressure was still a wild experiment. Patents flew, steam hissed, and inventors worldwide chased the elusive perfect shot. How did we get from a 4.5-metre-tall French monster to the compact, consistent machines of today?

The first patented coffee extractor appeared in 1818 in Prussia. Over the next 140 years, key innovations included the 1901 Bezzera patent (the first espresso machine), the 1948 Gaggia lever machine (introducing 9-bar pressure), and the 1961 E61 (with preheated water and stable brew temps).

The Brewing Begins: Pre-1900 Experiments

Before espresso machines looked like machines, they were wild contraptions built on a ‘perfect steam’ theory—brew coffee using pressurised steam and clever filters. Between 1818 and 1885, inventors across Europe and beyond filed dozens of patents aiming to extract coffee faster, cleaner, and more efficiently.

• 1818: Romershausen (Prussia) patents an ‘extractor’ device.
• 1822: Louis Bernard Rabout (France) builds on Romershausen’s design, using blotting paper for cleaner extraction.
• 1824: Paris craftsman Caseneuve designs an overly complex coffee tool to preserve aroma.
• 1827: Laurens (France) patents pre-steaming coffee grounds before extraction.
• 1833: Samuel Parker (UK) uses a pump to push water upwards through coffee—note: bitterness extracts later.
• 1838: Leburn (Paris, optician) designs small tabletop coffee makers, popular in southern Europe.
• 1840: Tiesset employs a vacuum pump to pull hot water through coffee with extra force.
• 1844: Cordier (France) sketches multiple brewers, one resembling a 1870s German Eicke machine.
• 1847: Romershausen builds a steam pressure coffee pot.
• 1855: Loysel (France) unveils a massive 4.5-metre bar machine, claiming 10,000 cups/day capacity.
• 1868: Reiss (Vienna) develops the ‘Vienna pot’.
• 1885: Angelo Moriondo (Italy) patents a machine making 50 cups at once.

The Birth of the Espresso Bar: 1901–1947

The 20th century kicked off with the first true espresso machine patents—designed not for bulk, but for individual servings. This period saw the birth of pressure brewing as we know it, leading to the iconic machines of post-war cafés.

• 1901: Luigi Bezzera patents the first espresso machine design.
• 1902: Friend and business partner Desiderio Pavoni adds a pressure relief piston and begins commercial production.
• 1903: Bezzera sells his patent to Pavoni for 10,000 lire due to financial trouble.
• 1905: La Pavoni company is officially founded.
• 1906: Arduino patents a machine with a heat exchanger for rapid water heating.
• 1909: Luigi Giarlotto introduces a pump to solve low extraction pressure.
• 1910: Giarlotto patents a screw-down piston to fully extract coffee flavours.
• 1935: Illy invents the first air-compressed water-through-coffee machine.
• 1938: Boilers move from vertical to horizontal placement for better performance.

Pressure, Precision, and the Golden Crest: 1948–1961

This era refined pressure systems and made espresso faster and more consistent. Lever machines brought theatre to the bar, while hydraulic systems reduced physical strain on baristas. The stage was set for electronic precision.

• 1948: Gaggia launches the piston-lever spring coffee machine, introducing 9-bar pressure.
• 1952: Large vertical espresso machines vanish almost overnight.
• 1956: Cimbali adopts hydraulic systems to ease lever operation.

The Modern Era Starts: 1962 and Beyond

After decades of steam, levers, and pumps, electronics and engineering brought a revolution. Stable temperatures and preheating systems transformed commercial brewing from guesswork into science.

• 1955: Giampietro Saccani achieves a breakthrough in maintaining stable brew head temperatures.
• 1961: The E61 machine is developed through Italian-Spanish collaboration. Unlike earlier machines, it pre-pressurises then heats water—a revolutionary change.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the first patented coffee extraction device?

The first patented coffee extraction device was created in 1818 by Romershausen in Prussia. It was an early ‘extractor’ designed to brew coffee, laying early groundwork for espresso technology, though it bore little resemblance to modern machines.

When was the first true espresso machine patented?

The first true espresso machine was patented in 1901 by Luigi Bezzera. His design was later commercialised by Desiderio Pavoni in 1902, who added a pressure relief piston and started selling machines under the La Pavoni brand in 1905.

What did the 1948 Gaggia machine introduce?

The 1948 Gaggia machine introduced the piston-lever spring system, which brought 9-bar pressure to espresso brewing. This innovation created the crema (golden foam) that became a hallmark of quality espresso.

Why did large vertical espresso machines disappear in 1952?

Large vertical espresso machines disappeared around 1952 because smaller, more efficient horizontal boiler designs became dominant, improving consistency and ease of use in commercial settings.

What was revolutionary about the 1961 E61 machine?

The 1961 E61 machine was revolutionary because it pre-pressurised water and then heated it—unlike earlier machines that pressurised hot water directly. It also maintained stable brew temperatures, greatly improving espresso consistency.

How did boiler placement change over time?

Boiler placement shifted from vertical in the early 1900s to horizontal by 1938. This change improved heating efficiency, machine stability, and made espresso production smoother in commercial environments.

FrontStreet Coffee Picks for Machine Evolution Fans

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