Albert Edward Richardson designed the first practical teasmade, selling it to Frank Clarke who patented it in 1902.

Albert E. Richardson, an iron turner and fitter, created a practical automatic tea maker combining an alarm clock, spirit lamp, and tipping kettle. He sold the design to Birmingham gunsmith Frank Clarke, who patented it in 1902 as 'An Apparatus Whereby a Cup of Tea or Coffee is Automatically Made,' marking a significant advance toward commercial viability.