How a Colorado Company Created the Workplace Coffee Break We Know Today

A quick cup of coffee can really turn your way around. Coffee is essential for many Colorado workers. If not coffee, there are also energy drinks, teas, and other ways to get a quick boost to be more productive.

Why Coffee Breaks Are Essential in Colorado Workplaces

I really enjoy the fact that our office is right in the heart of downtown Windsor. I walk to a coffee shop nearly daily. It is a nice way to hit reset for the rest of my day.

In other workplaces in Colorado, there are coffee machines so workers can take a quick coffee break. Did you know that this tradition actually started in Colorado?

The Colorado Company That Invented the Workplace Coffee Break

The coffee break was first used at Wigwam Weavers in Denver during World War II. The company was hoping to increase productivity, so it began giving its workers two coffee breaks a day.

How Coffee Boosted Productivity During World War II

Wigvam Weavers made neckties. The majority of their best workers went on to fight in World War II. Time says that the company hired a lot of elderly workers.

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The workers became tired faster, so the team at Wigwam Weavers decided to make coffee breaks mandatory to give the elderly employees a caffeine boost.

These coffee breaks were mandatory for workers and Wigvam Weavers saw a major shift in productivity and alertness within their staff. The company noticed that their staff was not energized because they did not want to pay to go get a cup of coffee.

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So, Wigwam Weavers thought it would be beneficial to supply the coffee in hopes that they would get their employee's productivity to skyrocket.

And it did.

How Coffee Breaks Became a Standard in Workplaces Nationwide

It has obviously caught on. Most offices and workplaces have free coffee available to staff and it has become normal. We have a coffee machine here at our office, but I like going for a walk down the street to get a cup of joe.

Many companies also offer energy drinks, soda, or tea. It is all provided so we stay focused.