Atomic coffee machine

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The Atomic coffee machine

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Top view

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Side view

'The Atomic coffee Machine was designed and invented by Mr Giordano Robbiati of Milan, Italy around 1946, according to the Italian Design registration issued that year. The coffee maker was subsequently patented as a novel invention in many other European countries, and in the United States, between the years 1946 and 1952. Robbiati is listed as the owner and inventor on the majority of these patents.. These patents expired many decades ago and are now in the public domain.

The Atomic Coffee Machine has a very distinctive shape that has stood the test of time to see it become a collectors item with iconic status. The Robbiati patent and design registrations cover the Atomic shape and functional aspects of the machine, and are not limited to particular technical features. The distinctive shape of the Atomic Coffee Machine set it apart from other more well know stovetop coffee makers. The original patented design was later enhanced with the addition of a steam wand to enable the machine to froth milk as well as make espresso. This was an improvement enabling the user to make Cappuccino as well as Espresso.

In Austria, the Stella company, under the direction of Desider Stern produced a large range of Atomic coffee makers from 1948 until 1974. Mr Stern's machines started out almost identical to Robbiati's earliest Atomic design however over time he developed many truly unique and wonderful Atomic designs all of his own. Desider Stern patented these essentially new designs in the 1950's . Mr Stern also trade-marked the Atomic name at that time coffeesnobs.com.au. The Qalital company in Hungary produced another range of Atomic machines under the direction of Desider Stern's brother-in-law, Imre Simon. In the UK, the A&M.G Sassoon Co. produced its own British-manufactured Atomic coffee makers in the 1950s and 1960s. The Sassoon Atomic Coffee Machine has some unique features, however, its UK designer/s remain unknown . In recent years it has been found that coffee machines based on the same 'atomic' form were also manufactured in France and Argentina (and possibly other countries). Given that so many different manufacturers all produced coffee machines of a similar design, and most of these machines were marketed as 'Atomic' machines, it is no wonder that over time Atomic became the common name for all machines of this type regardless of the manufacturer. Between the years 1946 and 1986 the Atomic coffee maker in all its forms was popular and machines of this type can be found all over the world from Cuba to New Zealand. However times change and it seems the various Atomic manufacturers had largely ceased production by the mid 1980's. After this date vintage Atomic coffee maker became highly collectible selling for large sums in Auctions houses and at flea-markets.

A search of the internet will reveal that between the years 1998 and 2006 there were no brand new Atomic coffee makers available anywhere in the world online, or at least there is no electronic trace left of any such sales. This is a strong indication of their great scarcity during those years. For many years customers who tried to order a machine from Bon Trading were told they had been 'put on the waiting list' and would be notified when the next shipment arrived, 'in a few months'. This situation continued for many years with some customers reporting a ten year wait and no Atomic. The shipments never did arrive until finally - around 2008 Bon Trading managed to source some new machines. It is claimed these new machines are made in Milan in the original Robbiati factory but there is no information published anywhere to indicate where that factory is located, what it is called, and who owns it.. These new machines were slightly different than all other Bon Trading imported Atomic coffee makers as they were stamped 'Made in Italy' on the base but otherwise are identical to vintage Italian made machines .

Given the high demand for Atomic coffee makers, and that the various patents expired many decades ago, it was only natural that someone should make reproductions based on those patents. Many people believe that such reproductions are 'fake','imitation' of 'knock off' products, however understandable such a view may be, it demonstrates a lack of understanding of intellectual property law as it is generally recognized internationally: once a patent has expired there is nothing morally or legally wrong in any party deciding to manufacture a product based on that patent. Indeed this is the social pay-off of the patent legislation. In return for a fixed period monopoly on their invention the inventor agrees to publish the details of the invention in the public domain. When the patent expires all are free to exploit it. In recent years modern reproductions have been reproduced in Taiwan (La Sorrentina) and China (Otto) and in India by separate manufacturers. The Chinese-manufactured Otto espresso machine is based closely on the iconic Atomic form but is largely redesigned internally and is made from stainless steel. The La Sorrentina machines are a faithful reproduction of the Italian made Atomics and are made in an identical fashion by sand casting alloy. The Bon Trading website currently advertises that 'stocks are available' of 'genuine' Atomic coffee makers.

In the opinion of this writer the current state of the market is healthy. Fair competition can only be good for the consumer and after many years of being unavailable the Atomic design has undergone a resurgence in recent years. The design is in the public domain for all to enjoy and is a great example of Mid-Twentieth Century style finding a new market in the post-modern world.