Coffee houses have existed for centuries, but it wasn't until the late 1600s and early 1700s that they became popular in Europe, especially in London and Paris. At this time, coffee houses became centres for social and intellectual debate and were often referred to as "penny universities" because, for the price of a cup of coffee, one could engage in stimulating discussions with like-minded individuals. While these early coffee houses were likely not directly responsible for the emergence of modern consumerism, they did contribute to the development of a culture of public sociability and a shift away from traditional agrarian societies towards more urban and commercial societies. This environment fostered the exchange of ideas and the spread of new technologies and innovations, which could be seen as precursors to the consumerist culture of modern times.