It was two Italian immigrants who decided, back in 1956, that the time factor involved with getting a machine made and delivered to Australia was very unworkable. This led the duo to design and build the Boema espresso machines in Australia.

The first lever machine was developed around the same principles as the other imported Italian machines of the time. The original Boema machines were beautifully and classically styled with chrome and glass. The stylish, retro looks were popular at that time with the Greek and Italian themed espresso bars and cafés.

As technology advanced in coffee machine design, so did Boema as a company. The company changed hands, with another partnership of Australian-Italians. Espresso machines became more user friendly and the styles and colours of the machines changed with each era.

Boema spent a lot of money in their early years on research and development; designing a machine that would handle the conditions of the growing (but still developing) Australian hospitality industry.

Boema designed machines very much for the way Australians of the time drank coffee. Unlike in European cafés, Australians drank lots of cappuccinos in mugs, so Boema built machines that would accommodate higher group heads – unlike the Italian espresso machine, that was designed specifi cally for short espresso drinks.