Desiderio Pavoni was a pivotal figure in espresso history who transformed Luigi Bezzera's invention into a commercial success.
Desiderio Pavoni purchased Luigi Bezzera's patent in 1903, recognizing the potential that Bezzera himself couldn't capitalize on due to lack of financial resources and marketing expertise.
In 1905, Pavoni founded the La Pavoni company and began producing the espresso machine industrially, manufacturing one machine daily in a small workshop in Via Parini, Milan.
Pavoni made several important improvements to Bezzera's original design:
He invented a pressure release valve that prevented hot coffee from splashing all over the barista from the instant release of pressure, making the brewing process safer and faster. Pavoni also created the steam wand to access the built-up steam that collected inside the machine's boiler, which became essential for drinks like cappuccino.
Together, Bezzera and Pavoni worked to perfect their machine, which Pavoni named the "Ideale".
At the 1906 Milan Fair, the two men introduced the world to "cafeé espresso," though Bezzera gradually faded from the picture as Pavoni continued to market the machines under his own brand.
Pavoni's machine could produce an impressive 150 cups of coffee per hour, and the speed of production led to the creation of the word "espresso," meaning "made on the spur of the moment".
Pavoni dominated the espresso market for more than a decade after the machine's introduction.
The La Pavoni company remains highly regarded today, continuing to produce both commercial and domestic espresso machines.
Pavoni's genius lay not just in technical innovation but in his ability to recognize potential, market effectively, and turn an experimental device into an industry-defining product.
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