Part 1/6:
The Intellectual Coffee Houses of 17th and 18th Century England
In the bustling streets of England during the 17th and 18th centuries, coffee houses emerged as vibrant social hubs, earning the nickname Penny universities. For the mere cost of a penny—approximately the price of a dish of coffee—individuals could engage in rich discussions, gather knowledge, and connect with some of the sharpest minds of the era. These establishments became the breeding grounds for innovation, discourse, and intellectual growth, attracting philosophers, scientists, and thinkers alike.