Eighty Years Later, the Chemex Still Makes Better Coffee

The Chemex coffee maker, invented by a German chemist in 1941, remains one of the best-designed everyday objects thanks to its elegant borosilicate glass construction and thick bonded paper filter that produces exceptional drip coffee. Despite claims of a steep learning curve, the author argues it is simpler than espresso or Aeropress methods, and its timeless design has kept it relevant for over 80 years with no mechanical parts to fail.