Espresso—a beloved beverage that fuels countless mornings—owes its rich history to more than just one brilliant invention. To celebrate National Espresso Day, here’s three key ones that defined its evolution:
1884
1884
Angelo Moriondo’s invention of a steam-powered coffee machine took the first steps toward espresso. His bulk brewer could push water and steam through coffee grounds at once, speeding up the process—but it wasn’t until later that his invention would truly come to life.
1900's
1900's
Fast forward to the early 1900s, when Luigi Bezzera set out to design a machine that could brew a single shot of coffee. His solution? Introducing features like the portafilter and multiple brewheads, which allowed for quick, single-serve brews. It was a huge leap forward, though it would take a
1905
1905
Enter Desiderio Pavoni. In 1905, he saw potential in Bezzera’s machine, purchased the rights, and patented the design. Pavoni’s expertise in branding and marketing turned espresso into a global phenomenon, solidifying its place in coffee culture.
1938
1938
The journey didn’t stop there. In 1938, Achille Gaggia refined the process even further by introducing higher pressure into the brewing method, creating the rich crema that is now an iconic feature of every great espresso shot.
Our Expert
Mónica Guevara
Partner | Patents
Director
