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The History of the Moka Pot

The Moka Pot is an important symbol of Italian culture.


It is found in 90% of Italian homes.


It is shown in several art and design museums around the world.


The history of the moka pot involves the 2nd industrial revolution, fascism, futurism and war.


The name of the coffee maker derives from the name of the city Mocha, in Yemen, a country that is a major exporter of coffee.


The moka pot was invented in 1933 by Alfonso Bialetti who worked in France for 10 years in the aluminum industry.


The inspiration came when Alfonso's wife did the laundry. The washing machine's mechanism was similar to that of the coffee maker.


There was a bucket with a lid and a tube, the soapy water in the bucket boiled, the pressure increased and the water went up through the tube to an upper container where the clothes were.


With the help of a friend, Luigi de Ponti, Bialetti developed a device that worked in the same way


How is the moka pot linked to futurism, fascism and war?


Futurism - Caffeine was emphasized in the movement and progress of futurism. The moka pot fits the reverence of futurism for machines, technology and metallic modernity.


Fascism - Mussolini made stainless steel a symbol of Italy, forcing it to take advantage of this mineral that existed on a large scale in the country.


War - Italy invaded Ethiopia in 1935 and Italian Ethiopia became an important source of coffee for Italy.


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