The aqueduct of #Coffeeculture has been enhanced with three new developments: a new edition of the book devoted to MUMAC, the expansion of the MUMAC Library, the library with the world’s second largest collections of books on coffee, and the presentation of the replica of the Moriondo, the first bar espresso machine.

Moriondo
The Moriondo came about during the momentous period of renewal that marked the second industrial revolution: on 30th June 1884, Turin-born Angelo Moriondo not only registered a patent, but a whole new way of tasting coffee, which was transformed from an infusion into espresso. The cylindrical device had a boiler with indications relating to the water level and steam pressure. It also had a safety valve and a filter-holder handle that could be rapidly attached. It was able to produce one or two cups of coffee in a few minutes.
What a shame that Moriondo only built a few prototypes destined exclusively for his own premises and for the General Exhibition in Parco del Valentino. The machines were not widely distributed and the story of Moriondo was ignored until Enrico Maltoni, the world’s most important collector and restorer of coffee machines, began to study the patent in order to recreate from scratch several replicas, two of which are currently exhibited at MUMAC and at the Museo Lavazza in Turin.

MUMAC book
MUMAC is a constantly evolving trove of culture and experience, as can be seen in the new version of the book of the same name (various authors, Mumac – Museo della Macchina per Caffè di Gruppo Cimbali, Vicolo del Pavone publishing house, 2018). The square format of the previous edition has been maintained, but the cover and content have been refreshed with original images, a new layout and work by many authors coordinated by Cinzia Cona, the museum’s curator. “The book,” remarks Barbara Foglia, head of museum activities, “encapsulates how much MUMAC has grown from 2012, the year of its opening, to today, showing every facet of a comprehensive heritage communication project that contributes to the spread of coffee culture.” Compared to the previous edition, notable changes include the restyling of the museum rooms, hall, café and exterior carried out between 2015 and 2018, the introduction of important new pieces, such as Gio Ponti’s La Cornuta, and above all the story of the temporary exhibitions in the adjacent Hangar 100, the loans made over the years to share MUMAC’s heritage in places that symbolize national and international design, the awards won thanks to this proactive spirit and a focus on the Library opened in 2016 and the significant historical archive.

Top library
“Sharing our heritage,” comments Barbara Foglia, “is a way of making available, along with the loaned object, the pleasure, taste, knowledge and beauty of the object it conceals and reveals.”

The Library, which contains over 1000 books on coffee, not only conserves unique books, but also makes them available to enthusiasts and scholars.
The entire project is constantly evolving and consists of old books, descriptions of blends, treatises, vintage photographs, essays, advertising posters and two outstanding historical archives, the Enrico Maltoni archive and Cimbali’s own archive, which testify to heritage that has literally generated a new culture.

Useful info
You can admire the Moriondo on a visit to MUMAC.
The MUMAC book (in two languages, Italian with English alongside) is for sale at the museum shop and will shortly be available in all bookshops and online from the publisher.
The library and the archives can be consulted by appointment or remotely via the Lombardy Branch of the National Library System (SBN).