Coffee percolater

Manufacturer S. Sternau & Co. (American (Brooklyn, NY), 1893 - 1915)

Date1903

OriginUSA

MediumSilver, aluminum, glass

Dimensions10 × 6 diameter × 5 1/4 in. (25.4 × 15.2 × 13.3 cm)

ClassificationsDecorative Arts, Metal

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Lloyd E. Marsden. In the Farm House Museum Collection, Farm House Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Object number75.1.2a-e

Status

On view

Collections

Decorative Arts

CultureAmerican

Label TextThe coffee percolator emerged in the 19th century as one of the earliest devices designed to brew coffee automatically and consistently. Its basic concept— cycling boiling water up a tube and letting it drip through coffee grounds—developed gradually, with early versions appearing in Europe. In 1865, American inventor James Nason patented a stovetop percolator, and later improvements by Hanson Goodrich in 1889 helped establish the familiar design with a vertical tube and perforated basket. Percolators became especially popular in the United States throughout the early and mid20th century, valued for their durability and strong coffee. Although they were eventually overshadowed by drip coffee makers, which offered better temperature control and flavor consistency, percolators remain an important milestone in the history of coffee brewing and are still used by enthusiasts today. https://patents.google.com/patent/US408707

MarkingsStem: for 1/2 pint machine only Sternau bottom: Sternau trademark. pat. Feb. 17,1903 other pat. pending(865) Bottom of urn, has :pat. nov.22,1904 Coffee basket: The Sternau Coffee Machine *

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