The Coffee Break originated in Stoughton, WI.
In the late 1800s, Norwegian immigrants arrived in the Stoughton area, attracted here by the availability of work in T.G. Mandt's wagon factory. While the men built wagons, local tobacco warehouse owners experienced a shortage of workers at harvest time. Mr. Osmund Gunderson decided to ask the Norwegian wives to help him sort the tobacco. The women agreed, as long as they could have a break in the morning and another in the afternoon, to go home and tend to their chores. Of course, this also meant they were free to have a cup of coffee from the pot that was always hot on the stove. Mr. Gunderson agreed and with this simple habit, the coffee break was born.
In the late 1800s, Norwegian immigrants arrived in the Stoughton area, attracted here by the availability of work in T.G. Mandt's wagon factory. While the men built wagons, local tobacco warehouse owners experienced a shortage of workers at harvest time. Mr. Osmund Gunderson decided to ask the Norwegian wives to help him sort the tobacco. The women agreed, as long as they could have a break in the morning and another in the afternoon, to go home and tend to their chores. Of course, this also meant they were free to have a cup of coffee from the pot that was always hot on the stove. Mr. Gunderson agreed and with this simple habit, the coffee break was born.
