Chemex Coffeemaker

The chemist Peter Schlumbohm invented the Chemex in 1941, and it still looks like what it is: a piece of laboratory glass made for the kitchen. One hourglass vessel does the work of funnel and pitcher, and the wooden collar with its rawhide tie is the handle, so there is no glued-on part to crack. The Museum of Modern Art showed it among the best-designed products in 1943. In the cup it gives a clean, bright pour-over, helped by bonded filters based on laboratory paper. That is also its catch: it needs its own filters, and the narrow neck makes the glass awkward to scrub.