History of the BrewMug™
I don't consider myself a coffee snob but I have no tolerance for instant coffee or bad coffee. In 1992 I found myself in the land of Nescafe – that's Spanish for 'No es cafe' – and had to remedy our situation with a couple of coffee socks to make real coffee.
The next evolution happened in 1995 when I purchased a Whirley mug from Los Bagels in Arcata, CA. It's the same double wall mug that I use now with the snap off bottom. I stored a 3" riser tube between the walls so I could set the coffee sock on it. Next I cut the handle off the coffee sock and curved the loop to fit beside the riser tube. I used that system for a month until, on a Carson river trip, I realized I could fasten the cone on the tube to simplify it all. Duh, the BrewMug™ was born.
I made a clean looking prototype and pulled it out at breakfast one morning at Otter Bar Lodge. There were six people sitting there and all of them said "I want one." I thought I was just solving one of my problems not realizing what I had stumbled onto. This was the BrewMugs™ first exposure and I was strongly advised to get a patent.
Thus began a long process involving secrecy, a patent attorney, patent searches, drawings, application, reapplication, non disclosure agreements, and money. Did I mention money? And finally a patent. All in all a fun, educational process.
The patent searches revealed that many before me had tried to invent a compact personal coffee maker. Most designs were complex Rube Goldbergish efforts that were too costly and complex. It was hard to believe that I had developed the best and simplest coffee maker. I kept looking for the downside and there didn't seem to be one. The BrewMug™ has gained the approval of coffee buyers, and other hardcore consumers of premium coffee.
Once the business permits were obtained and a name chosen, I made the mugs available to friends, and they quickly spread the word. I consider myself a reluctant businessman, and the folks who buy BrewMugs™ as friends rather than customers.Other friends have written reviews and articles about myself and the BrewMug™ story. I do enjoy word of mouth publicity and the BrewMug™ speaking well for itself with no paid advertising.
Thanks, friends.
Reg