In Europe, the period from around 1889, when the Paris World's Fair, where the Eiffel Tower was unveiled, to the outbreak of World War I is known as the Belle Époque (Beautiful Era).
This was also a period when various technologies developed due to the Industrial Revolution and artistic movements such as Art Nouveau emerged.
During this time, Luigi Bezzera developed a new espresso machine in Italy.
Luigi Bezzera was a Milanese manufacturer and "maker of liquors" who invented single-shot espresso in the early years of the 20th century while looking for a method of quickly brewing coffee directly into the cup.
During Italy's rapid industrialization in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, factory workers needed a quick and efficient way to enjoy their coffee breaks without compromising on flavor, which sparked Bezzera's innovative spirit.
On December 19, 1901, Bezzera applied for a patent for his innovations, which enabled machines with significantly increased throughput and cost-effectiveness.
His patent was for the "giant type with double tap," a technological revolution featuring a removable portafilter that facilitated coffee preparation and brewing for two cups.
Bezzera made several improvements to Angelo Moriondo's earlier bulk brewing machine, introducing the portafilter, multiple brewheads, and many other innovations still associated with espresso machines today. His design used a large boiler that pushed water and steam through tamped coffee grounds, with the mechanism functioning as heat radiators to lower the water temperature from 250°F to the ideal brewing temperature of approximately 195°F.
The Bezzera machines were cylindrical and rather large, made of copper, bronze or brass and richly decorated in the fashion of the day, though much smaller than earlier machines. In addition to coffee preparation, they heated milk and cream using hot steam from the boiler, and Bezzera's most important development was the system of fastening the filter holder on the distribution group.
Despite designing and building several prototypes, Bezzera's beverage remained largely unappreciated because he didn't have any money to expand his business or any idea how to market the machine.
This led him to partner with Desiderio Pavoni, who purchased Bezzera's patents in 1903.
Bezzera and Pavoni worked together to perfect their machine, which Pavoni dubbed the Ideale, and at the 1906 Milan Fair, the two men introduced the world to "cafeé espresso".
However, Bezzera slowly faded from the picture as Pavoni continued to widely market his name brand machines.
Despite his reduced visibility, Bezzera's contributions were foundational.
His son Giuseppe Bezzera took over the business and managed to grow it despite challenges including coffee embargoes and World War II.
Today, the Bezzera company is run by Luigi Bezzera's great-grandson Luca Bezzera, and continues to produce high-quality espresso machines that honor the founder's legacy of innovation and quality.
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