How it began
Angelo Moriondo of Turin is usually credited with patenting the earliest known espresso machine, in 1884. He presented it at the Turin Expo, where it won a bronze medal. He went on to improve the machine and received further patents. Moriondo did not put it into industrial production and hand-built only a few machines for his own businesses.
Before it existed
In the 19th century coffee was big business in Europe, and brewing a cup took time. Inventors were looking for ways to improve the brew and shorten the wait. Moriondo's steam-powered machine was one answer to that problem. Smithsonian Magazine places the birth of espresso in this search for speed.
How it works
Moriondo's machine used a combination of steam and boiling water to brew coffee efficiently. Espresso is a method of preparation and not a type of bean or roast. Luigi Bezzera later introduced the single-shot idea and parts such as the portafilter. Achille Gaggia's lever-driven machines raised the pressure, and the Faema E61 added a motorized pump for consistent brewing.
How it spread
Luigi Bezzera of Milan adapted the idea to brew individual cups, and Desiderio Pavoni improved and marketed the machines. At the 1906 Milan Fair the two men introduced the public to caffe espresso. From Italy the machines and the drink spread into wider coffee culture.
Where it stands today
Espresso now dominates much of coffee culture, and Smithsonian Magazine describes its making as a mix of machine technology and the skill of the barista. On June 6, 2022, Google marked what would have been Moriondo's 171st birthday with a Doodle. Later machines by Gaggia and Faema remain reference points in that history.
