Brew Method Profile: Chemex
The Chemex is a manual, pour-over style coffee maker invented by Peter Schlumbohm in 1941. Its unique glass design not only made it particularly desirable during World War II when other materials were in short supply, it also earned this coffee maker a spot at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City beginning in 1958. The stylish apparatus did not stop with MoMA, however. The Chemex has appeared in popular culture time and time again in the past decades.
10 Times the Chemex has Appeared in Pop Culture:
Sabrina (1954): In the romantic comedy, starring Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, and William Holden, a Chemex can be seen in Linus’s office, on the corner of the bar.
From Russia, with Love (1957): In his well known spy novel, Ian Fleming describes James Bond brewing his morning coffee using a Chemex.
Pillow Talk (1959): Doris Day’s character, interior designer Jan Morrow, makes coffee using a Chemex in this comedy.
Harper (1966): The Chemex makes an appearance in this detective flick when private eye Lew Harper, played by Paul Newman, starts his day off with a cup of joe from his Chemex.
Rosemary’s Baby (1968): In the well-known horror film, a Chemex is used by Rosemary herself.
The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-77): A Chemex coffeemaker can be seen in the the kitchen of Mary Richards’ apartment.
Friends (1994): In the pilot episode of the beloved sitcom, a Chemex sits on the stove in Monica’s apartment. Joey is seen drinking coffee from the coffeemaker in a subsequent episode!
Mad Men (2007-15): The Chemex appears in Don Draper’s kitchen in the popular period drama.
Interstellar (2014): Although not used for its typical purpose, a Chemex can be seen on the dining room table, filtering dust out of the drinking water.
Grace & Frankie (2015-): Last, but certainly not least, the Chemex makes an appearance in this new Netflix original series.
Shout out to these and other characters over the past decades who have turned to the Chemex for their coffee brewing needs. Keep it classy, Hollywood!