The Chemex® coffeemaker was invented by chemist Peter J. Schlumbohm, Ph.D., in 1941. Being a doctor of Chemistry, he was very familiar with laboratory apparati and the methods of filtration and extraction. He applied this knowledge when designing his coffeemaker by modifying the laboratory funnel, adding an "air channel" and a pouring spout. He added the "air channel" so the air displaced by the liquid dripping into the vessel could easily escape past the laboratory filter paper. Over the years, these items have been recognized as outstanding examples of American Design. In 1956, the Chemex coffee maker was selected by the Illinois Institute of Technology as one of the best-designed items of modern times, the only coffee brewer chosen for the award. The coffee maker and the water kettle are in the permanent collections of museums such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Smithsonian, the Philadelphia Museum and the Corning Museum located in Corning, NY. When it comes to exceptionally tasting coffee made from a simple but elegant process, the Chemex has no rival.
