A coffee addiction, 184 years in the making

As you finish up your morning cup of Joe, you have a Connecticut manufacturer to thank for the aromatic beverage and burst of caffeine.

One hundred and eighty-four years ago this week, in 1829, the first coffee mill patent was awarded to James Carrington of Connecticut.

Milling is an ancient process of grinding grains and beans, but Carrington’s mill offered a more robust, all cast-iron construction that allowed for greater and faster production. At the time Carrington built his mill, coffee was beginning to overtake tea as America’s favorite drink.

Today, Americans consume an average of 23 gallons per person annually, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.