Dezeen Magazine

Remembering Richard Sapper: 9090 espresso maker for Alessi

In memory of Richard Sapper, who died last week, we're revisiting our movies in which Alessi president Alberto Alessi speaks about the German industrial designer's iconic products for the brand. In the first, he explains the story behind Sapper's 9090 espresso maker (+ movie).

Sapper's 1979 rocket-shaped stove-top coffee maker was Alessi's first product for the kitchen, won the company's first Compasso d'Oro award in 1979 and is included in the permanent collection at New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).

9090 espresso maker by Richard Sapper for Alessi

In the movie, Alberto Alessi describes how the design is an "homage" to his grandfather Alfonso Bialetti, who created the very first Italian espresso maker. Find out more about the 9090 espresso maker »

Sapper died on New Year's Eve, and figures from the design industry have being paying tribute by posting images of their favourite products by the designer to Instagram.