Fascinating and Entertaining Fact about “Angelo Moriondo”: Godfather of Espresso Machines

Angelo Moriondo, the Revolutionary Behind Espresso Machines, Commemorated by Google on His 171st Birthday with an Animated Doodle—Discover Engaging and Entertaining Facts about Him

All Personal Information about Angelo Moriondo:

• Birth name: Angelo Moriondo
• Date of birth: 6 June 1851
• Birthplace: Turin, Kingdom of Sardinia
• Died on: 31 May 1914 (aged 62)
• Death place: Marentino, Turin, Italy
• Nationality: Italian
• Wife name: Mrs. Moriondo
• Father name– Giacomo
• Known for: Inventor of the espresso coffee machine

Honoring Angelo Moriondo: Fun Facts about the Espresso Machine Pioneer Celebrated by Google on His 171st Birthday

1. Birth and Background: Angelo Moriondo was born on June 6, 1851, in Turin, Kingdom of Sardinia, into a Christian family. He spent his childhood in Turin and completed his studies at a local school there.
2. Invention of the Espresso Machine: Moriondo is credited with inventing the espresso machine in 1884. Although Luigi Bezzera later patented a coffee machine that utilized steam for brewing under pressure, Moriondo’s innovation predated it by several years.
3. Family Entrepreneurship: Moriondo hailed from a family of pioneers. His grandfather established an alcohol delivery company, which was later taken over by his father, Giacomo. Giacomo, along with his brother Agostino and cousin Gariglio, went on to found the renowned chocolate company “Moriondo and Gariglio.” Angelo himself purchased the Grand-Hotel Ligure in Piazza Carlo Felice and the American Bar in Galleria Nazionale of Via Roma.
4. The Motivation Behind the Invention: Moriondo’s idea for the espresso machine stemmed from his desire to gain a competitive edge in the thriving European coffee market. At the time, espresso preparation relied on time-consuming methods, causing customers to wait for several minutes to enjoy their cup. Moriondo aimed to serve more customers quickly by brewing multiple cups simultaneously.
5. A Missed Opportunity: Although Moriondo’s invention was the first to utilize water and pressurized steam to expedite the coffee-making process, he never envisioned mass production or achieved the level of recognition associated with later espresso machines. His device was not designed for individual cup brewing.
6. Introduction and Recognition: Moriondo showcased his invention at the General Expo of Turin in 1884, where it was awarded the bronze medal. The patent for his steam-based coffee machine was granted on May 16, 1884, under the title “New steam hardware for the financial and quick sugary treat of espresso refreshment, strategy ‘A. Moriondo’.”
7. Device Description and Improvement: Moriondo’s machine featured a large boiler that pushed heated water through a bed of coffee grounds, with a second boiler producing steam to complete the brew. It underwent further development and received an additional patent on November 20, 1884. Its international patent was registered in Paris on October 23, 1885.
8. Limited Production and Preservation: Moriondo never pursued large-scale production of his invention and instead focused on hand-building a few machines for his own establishments. He believed this would serve as significant promotion for his businesses.
9. Recognition and Influence: Historian Ian Bersten, who researched the history of coffee, recognized Moriondo’s patent as the first Italian bar machine to control the supply of steam and water separately for coffee brewing. Despite its distinction, the device was a mass brewer and did not cater to individual customer preferences.
10. Legacy and Passing: Angelo Moriondo passed away on May 31, 1914, in Marentino, Turin, Italy, at the age of 62. While he enjoyed a comfortable living as an entrepreneur, following in his family’s footsteps, he could have achieved greater wealth and recognition had he recognized the full potential of his invention.
11. Influence of Bezzera and Pavoni: It was Luigi Bezzera and Desiderio Pavoni, the Milanese duo, who later refined Moriondo’s method and repackaged it for the marketplace. Within a few years, they developed a machine capable of brewing up to 1,000 cups of espresso per hour.
12. Google’s Tribute: On June 6, 2022, Google paid homage to Angelo Moriondo by featuring an animated Doodle on its homepage, celebrating his 171st birthday.