RANCILIO
An espresso machine manufacturer, founded in 1927 by Roberto Rancilio in Parabiago, Milan, Italy. Rancilio would become best known for its innovative distrubution networks, effective use of industrial design and reputable reliability.
Rancilio's earliest well-known machine was 'La Regina' - a vertical boiler machine, similar to the original Bezzera and Victoria Arduino devices in function and guilded 'Belle Epoque' styling.In 1950, Rancilio would release a
horizontal boiler machine, the Invicta Horizzontal showing evidence of
the postwar shift toward spare, modern styling. The machine however,
still used the same forced steam brewing method from the early 20th
century.
By 1953, Rancilio adopted lever piston technology introduced by Gaggia.
In 1957, Rancilio released a model
which automated the lever process, the H/L Automatica. The company
followed new technological trends towards continuous deliver brewing
introduced by Faema in 1961.
In 1965, Rancilio commissioned design
work from industrial designer Marco Zanuso, beginning with the Rancilio
Z8, and continuing with the Z9 in 1974. Rancilio would continue with
several Z-series machines, with the Z11 being the last. The S-series
machine would become popular in the 1990s, and become well known in the
North American marketplace.
Rancilio is very well known in North America for the Rancilio Silvia home espresso machine, and Rocky grinder, which introduced a level of quality in home machines comparable to commercial machines, since many of the parts originate from commercial machines.
