DWC 100 Women: Melitta Bentz, Coffee Filter

In the early 20th century, kitchens across the world buzzed with the daily ritual of making coffee. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled homes, but so did the frustration of dealing with grounds that found their way into every cup. 

It was in this world that a German housewife named Melitta Bentz saw an opportunity to make a difference—a small change that would ripple through time, transforming how we experience one of life’s simplest pleasures.

Born in Dresden in 1873, Melitta Bentz was a woman ahead of her time. She was not content with simply accepting things as they were; instead, she sought to improve the lives of those around her, starting with something as ordinary as a cup of coffee. 

As a young mother and wife, Melitta knew all too well the annoyance of gritty coffee. It was a daily problem in many households, but instead of merely enduring it, she decided to find a solution.

In 1908, Melitta’s kitchen became her laboratory. Armed with her sharp mind and determination to make her mornings smoother, she experimented with different methods to filter out coffee grounds. 

Her eureka moment came when she punched holes in a brass pot and lined it with a sheet of blotting paper from her son’s school notebook. 

The result was nothing short of revolutionary—a clean, smooth cup of coffee free from grounds. The coffee filter was born.

But Melitta’s invention was more than just a practical tool; it was a reflection of her innovative spirit and a desire to create positive change. At a time when women’s roles were often confined to the domestic sphere, Melitta defied expectations. 

She patented her invention, founded a company, and embarked on a journey that would change the way the world drinks coffee. The Melitta Bentz Company, founded in 1908, is still a household name today, a testament to her enduring impact.

Beyond her invention, Melitta Bentz was also a woman of deep social conscience. During World War I, her company supported efforts to help those affected by the conflict. 

She provided jobs for women and older men who were unable to serve in the military, offering them a chance to support their families during difficult times. Her activism extended beyond her business; she cared deeply about her community and the people in it.

Melitta’s legacy is not just in the millions of coffee filters used around the world every day. It’s in the courage to see the world not as it is but as it could be, and to take the steps—no matter how small—to make that vision a reality. She showed that innovation doesn’t always have to come from grand ideas; sometimes, it starts with something as simple as wanting a better cup of coffee.

Today, when we enjoy our morning brew, it’s easy to take for granted the clarity and smoothness of our coffee.