Angelo Moriondo

Angelo Moriondo retouched

Espresso-machine-first-patent-angelo-moriondo

Angelo Moriondo American Bar

Angelo Moriondo (June 6, 1851 – May 31, 1914) was an Italian inventor and entrepreneur, best known for being granted the first patent for an espresso machine. Born in Turin, Italy, Moriondo came from a family of entrepreneurs. His grandfather founded a liquor production company that was passed down to his sons, and his father managed a chocolate company. Angelo Moriondo himself was involved in the hotel industry, which likely inspired his invention.

Early Life and Career

Angelo Moriondo was born into a well-established family with a knack for business. From a young age, he was immersed in the entrepreneurial spirit that pervaded his family's ventures. This background played a crucial role in shaping his inventive mindset. Moriondo's early career saw him venturing into the hospitality sector, where he owned and managed the Grand Hotel Ligure in the heart of Turin and the American Bar in the Galleria Nazionale of Via Roma.

Invention of the Espresso Machine

In 1884, Angelo Moriondo identified the need for a faster method of brewing coffee, especially to cater to the busy clientele of his establishments. Recognizing this gap, he conceptualized and invented the first known espresso machine. Moriondo's invention was a significant leap forward in coffee technology. It used a combination of steam and boiling water to brew coffee quickly, a method that laid the groundwork for modern espresso machines.

Moriondo presented his espresso machine at the General Expo of Turin in 1884, where it received a bronze medal. The patent for this invention, titled "New steam machinery for the economic and instantaneous confection of coffee beverage, method ‘A. Moriondo’", was granted on May 16, 1884, under the patent number 33/256.

Despite the revolutionary nature of his invention, Moriondo did not mass-produce his espresso machine. Instead, he continued to improve and refine the device, obtaining additional patents for enhancements. However, his invention did not gain the widespread recognition it deserved during his lifetime, and it was later inventors and entrepreneurs who capitalized on the concept of espresso machines, leading to the popularization of espresso coffee.

Legacy

Angelo Moriondo's contribution to the world of coffee brewing was largely forgotten until recent years. His invention laid the foundation for the espresso machines that would become a staple in coffee shops around the world. Today, Moriondo is recognized as a pioneer in the field of coffee brewing technology. His work paved the way for future innovations and helped shape the modern coffee culture.

Moriondo passed away on May 31, 1914, in Marentino, Italy. Though he did not live to see the global impact of his invention, his legacy lives on in every cup of espresso enjoyed today.

See Also

• History of coffee
• Espresso
• Inventions of the 19th century