A German scientist Peter Schlumbohm, who moved to America in 1936, was the one who created Chemex 5 years after his arrival. Peter was extremely precise with all his previous multiple patents. He used the very same approach along with some science while creating the famous coffee maker: “ It just needs to make coffee”.
Chemex and chemical labs
Schlumbohm’s intention was not just to create a device that operates, but to also make it appealing to the customers. The Erlenmeyer’s flask, which is used in many chemical labs, served as a prototype for his invention. Its slim top and funnel-shaped look simply inspired the scientist.
chemist Dr. Peter Schlumbohm. Credit: www.chemexcoffeemaker.com
Peter managed to use his skills and knowledge in order to grasp all principles of the extraction. He studied all coffee’s components and recognized that only two of them (caffeine and oils) should remain following successful brewing according chemex coffee ratio.
What is Chemex?
The Chemex is a simple and appealing device created for perfect coffee extraction. Mainly due to its “hourglass” look, the coffee comes out super clean and well-extracted.
The Chemex coffee ratio is 1:16, where on every gram of coffee you will need 16 gr of water.
Of course, it is a little variable depending on your taste.
The device also escalates the timing and the surface area - if compared to flat-bottomed brewers.
Actually, it's also the filter (also created by Schlumbohm) that makes the Chemex so unique. It slows down the speed of the water due to its thickness and prevents oils as well as insoluble elements.
Additionally, Peter thought through the design of the device and added a pour spout - to make it easier for the air to get out, and a knob on the side, which shows the level of the prepared coffee drink.
Substantial Details
The famous store “Macy’s” started an advertising campaign for Chemex a year after it was invented.
Half a million devices were made in 1942 and were portrayed in the ads as a “ Chemist’s Way” of preparing coffee.
In the meantime, Schlumbohm did not stop at all - he kept creating and moreover, submitted the Chemex to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) for the show of “Useful Objects”. In fact, it's still there along with his other 22 inventions.
Popularity of Chemex in US
Chemex became popular during WWII when many manufacturers in the USA had to twist the scope of their business in order to create beneficial war commodities.
Nonetheless, Chemex appeared in many households in the late 40’s and 50’s of the last century and was also present in multiple TV shows, movies etc.
Later on, Schlumbohm created some bizarre items, including the “Chemobile” - a prototype of a car with rounded sides that looks like a weird camper…
The company is owned by the Grassy family, who acquired it after Peter’s death in 1980. The business is still up and running.
Briefly
Schlumbohm realized that his idea was successful and made the right move when he approached Macy's, as it broadened the audience significantly. Even the MoMA representatives acknowledged the Chemex as being practical and appealing. Moreover, these days, it remains in the catalog as his “best-loved’ creation.
If you need a recipe for Chemex brewing - please visit our brewing methods.