Mr Coffee, Which Changed How Americans Caffeinate, Keeps Steaming Ahead

The little machine brought cafe-quality brew into the country's homes

There’s a cynical old saying: Hatred breeds excellence. Scoff if you’d like—but not before you hear the story of how that adage created one of America’s best-known holiday gifts: a sturdy little appliance known as Mr. Coffee.

Vincent Marotta was a Cleveland real estate man whose business stalled when he couldn’t secure financing. One morning in 1969, Marotta was sitting at his kitchen table trying to plot his next move when it occurred to him that his coffee (made by his wife, Ann) tasted awful.

It

AW+

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Spring Special

Save 30% Off an ADWEEK Subscription Today!

View Your Options

Already a member? Sign in

Adweek magazine cover
Click for more from this issue

This story first appeared in the Dec. 12, 2022, issue of Adweek magazine. Click here to subscribe.