Papin's pressure cooker. Illustration of a version of the pressure cooker ('La Marmite de Papin') or steam digester invented by French physicist and engineer Dennis Papin (1647-1712) in 1681. It consists of an iron pot with a sealed lid. A pressure vent allows steam to escape and stops the pot from exploding. By increasing the pressure, water boils at a higher temperature and food will cook faster. Artwork from 'Chaudieres et Machines a Vapeur' (1911) by French civil engineer Max de Nansouty (1854-1913), part of the 'Les merveilles de la science' series of 1867-1891 by Louis Figuier.