COLLECTION
THOMAS WENK
Achille Gaggia is responsible. He refined everything, that masterminds before him prepared, that unifies Esspresionisti nowadays worldwide: in 1948 he built the first hand lever espresso machine, that whips “crema” on top of espresso and coffee. Roughly 100 years earlier, the first prototypes of espresso machines emerged on scene at the world fair in Paris. And of course it was destined for an Italian to refine the technology: in 1901 Luigi Bezzera launched a four group infernal machine, that rushed boiling water and steam through coffee powder. Only virtuosos on the differing valves were able to create delicious coffee – the field was set for the barista. And the conventional brewed coffee, just like home, was history. From now on cafes were able to make coffee at request – simply espressivo.
Bezzara’s foundation enabled advancements in the forthcoming centuries: many large manufacturers, that still exist today – for instance Fema, La Pavoni or Cimbali -, and the small ones, that only partially exist, adopted Bezzera’s concept, until Gaggia dared to start the next coup. The development of the espresso machines was attended by the race to create the fairest of them all: manufacturers fetched designers and architects, such as Gio Ponti, Enzo Mari, Bruno Murani, Fratelli Castiglioni, Marc Zanuso, Ettore Sottsass or Pininfarina and let them design the most fascinating and charming mantles for their machines under pressure. The machine became the starlet of every bar.
The manufacturers delivered a firework of designs, that also are reflected on pictures on this website. Risky, futuristic, gloss chrome, with colorful Plexiglas, sparkling diamond or ingenious backlighting. Not till the espresso machine lost its place as the centerpiece of bars in the late 60s, was the ambition, to create something distinctive and for what it’s worth produced unmistakable espresso, extinguished. Practicality instead of aesthetics. But this elapsed time must be preserved.