Atomic Coffee Maker
Ifirst clapped eyes on the stove top Atomic Coffee Maker on FutureConscious: Philly’s Wish List. Loved the look of it, beautiful curved lines and rugged mechanical utility. I started to look into it a bit and was quite surprised to find vast amounts of info from all sorts of sources. It really seems to be a much loved and ‘cult’ coffee machine. Anyhow fascinating stuff, there’s a quick summary of what I’ve found so far:
It was designed in 1947 by Italian Giordano Robbiati, it stayed in production (not changing a great deal) until 1986 when the factory burnt down. It’s been re-badged by various importers round the world, such as: Stella (Austria), Qualitat (Hungary), Robbiati (Italy), A&MG Sassoon (UK), Bon Trading (Australia), La Sorrentina and Thomas Cara.
There’s a blog dedicated to nothing but the Atomic - Worlds Best Loved Coffee Machine. Or you can buy a whole book about the Atomic - Enduring Design. Maybe you fancy getting a secondhand Atomic, then check out the eBay buying guide. And if that’s not enough, you can get all you will ever want to know about the history, care & maintenance, restoring and making coffee with one from this Atomic Site from New Zealand.
Recently the Atomic has been resurrected as the La Sorrentina Coffee Machine by an Australian entrepreneur (Ikon exports?) who has begun manufacturing a premium reproduction of the Atomic which is a best seller in Oz.
For us Limeys the brand new models are being imported to the UK exclusively by Atomic Coffee House, you can buy one from their site for £279.
For me the new ones feel a little cold, have a look at some of the beautiful vintage ones for sale here, the worn aluminium casing feels so much warmer and friendly. Shame they’re in Australia though, will be keeping my eyes peeled on eBay until I find a good one :)
Said, on January 21st, 2009 at 2:15 pm :
PORN!!!!!! ;)
Willow is going over to London soon and collect the beauty you gave me! We do miss it over here ;)
This Atomic is definitely going into a wish list ;)
One comment with three smileys!
Said, on January 21st, 2009 at 3:37 pm :
[...] bei Made in England by Gentlemen. ANZEIGE Werben Sie auf [...]
Said, on January 22nd, 2009 at 1:14 pm :
wow, never realised they made stove-top coffee makers that look that nice. i’ve got one of those cheap hexagonal ones that i love but one of these is definitely worth saving up for. thanks for the tip.
Said, on February 5th, 2009 at 8:33 pm :
[...] info at made in england Designer: Giordano Robbiati Producer: Ikon Exports (?) Retailer : atomic coffee house Share and [...]
Said, on February 19th, 2009 at 11:51 am :
Years ago in my student days I used to live with someone in Australia who had one of the original Atomic makers and it made the best coffee. I hunted and hunted for one to no avail but nice to see they have re-released these. Hopefully the milk frothier works better than his.
Said, on February 15th, 2010 at 5:01 am :
i never heard about Atomic Coffee Maker. but i see that the look of it is very nice in its beautiful curved lines and rugged mechanical utility.