A diet coke dispenser is a device that dispenses carbonated soft drinks, called fountain drinks. They can be found in restaurants, concession stands and other locations such as convenience stores. This article explores the history, types, and evolution of soda fountains, with a particular focus on diet coke dispensers and related equipment.
The Evolution of Soda Fountains
The soda fountain represents more than just a place to get a fizzy drink; it's a piece of cultural history. The soda fountain was an attempt to replicate mineral waters that bubbled up from the Earth. Many civilizations believed that drinking, and bathing in, these mineral waters cured diseases. Early scientists tried to create effervescent waters with curative powers, including Robert Boyle, Friedrich Hoffmann, Jean Baptiste van Helmont, William Brownrigg, Antoine Laurent Lavoisier, and David Macbride.
The journey began with the desire to replicate naturally occurring mineral waters, believed to have curative properties. Early scientific efforts by figures like Robert Boyle and Joseph Priestley led to the invention of equipment for saturating water with carbon dioxide.
In the early 1770s, the Swedish chemist Torbern Bergman, and (separately) the English scientist Joseph Priestley invented equipment for saturating water with carbon dioxide. In 1774, John Mervin Nooth demonstrated an apparatus that improved upon Priestley's design. In 1807, Henry Thompson received the first British patent for a method of impregnating water with carbon dioxide. Benjamin Silliman, a Yale chemistry professor, was among the first to introduce soda water to America. In 1806, Silliman purchased a Nooth apparatus and began selling mineral waters in New Haven, Connecticut. Sales were brisk, so he built a bigger apparatus, opened a pump room, and took in three partners. This partnership opened soda fountains in New York City and Baltimore, Maryland. At roughly the same time, other businessmen opened fountains in New York City and Philadelphia.
Key Innovations and Manufacturers
The 19th century saw significant advancements in soda fountain technology and manufacturing. John Matthews and John Lippincott were pioneers in this field, introducing innovations that improved the equipment and expanded the industry. Other notable manufacturers included Alvin Puffer, Andrew Morse, Gustavus Dows, and James Tufts. In 1832, John Matthews of New York City and John Lippincott of Philadelphia began manufacturing soda fountains. Both added innovations that improved soda-fountain equipment, and the industry expanded as retail outlets installed newer, better fountains. Other pioneering manufacturers were Alvin Puffer, Andrew Morse, Gustavus Dows, and James Tufts.
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In 1891 the four largest manufacturers-Tufts, Puffer, Lippincott, and Matthews-formed the American Soda Fountain Company, which was a trust designed to monopolize the industry. The four manufacturers continued to produce and market fountains under their company names.
From Ice to Iceless: A Technological Leap
The introduction of mechanical refrigeration marked a turning point in the soda fountain industry. Before mechanical refrigeration, soda fountains used ice to cool drinks and ice cream. Ice harvesters cut ice from frozen lakes and ponds in the winter and stored the blocks in ice houses for use in the summer. Companies like the L.A. Becker Company, the Liquid Carbonic Company, and the Bishop & Babcock Company led the way in developing "iceless" fountains.
In 1888 Jacob Baur of Terre Haute, Indiana founded the Liquid Carbonics Manufacturing Company in Chicago, becoming the Midwest's first manufacturer of liquefied carbon dioxide. In 1903 Liquid Carbonic began market-testing its prototype iceless fountain in a Chicago confectionery. Louis A. Becker, a salesman, started his own manufacturing business in 1898, making the 20th-Century Sanitary Soda Fountain. In 1904 Becker's company produced its first iceless fountain. In 1908 William H. Wallace obtained a patent for an iceless fountain and installed his prototype in an Indianapolis drugstore. Liquid Carbonic spawned another leading soda fountain manufacturer, the Bastian-Blessing Company, started in 1908 by two Liquid Carbonic employees, Charles Bastian and Lewis Blessing. The newer manufacturers competed with the American Soda Fountain Company and took a large share of the market.
During World War I, some manufacturers marketed "50% fountains," which used a combination of ice and mechanical refrigeration.
The Heyday and Decline
Soda fountains became social hubs, flourishing in various establishments and serving as important community spaces. In their heyday, soda fountains flourished in pharmacies, ice cream parlors, candy stores, dime stores, department stores, milk bars and train stations. They served an important function as a public space where neighbors could socialize and exchange community news. In the early 20th century many fountains expanded their menus and became lunch counters, serving light meals as well as ice cream sodas, egg creams, sundaes, and such.
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However, the rise of self-service stores, the car culture, and suburbanization led to their decline. In 1950, Walgreens, one of the largest chains of American drug stores, introduced full self-service drug stores that began the decline of the soda fountain, as did the coming of the Car Culture and the rise of suburbia. Drive-in restaurants and roadside ice cream outlets, such as Dairy Queen, competed for customers. North American retail stores switched to self-service soda vending machines selling pre-packaged soft drinks in cans, and the labor-intensive soda fountain did not fit into the new sales scheme.
Postmix Machines and Soda Guns
Modern soda fountains, also known as postmix machines, automate the dispensing process. The machine combines flavored syrup or syrup concentrate and carbon dioxide with chilled and purified water to make soft drinks, either manually or in a vending machine which is essentially an automated soda fountain that is operated using a soda gun. A soda fountain is also referred to as a postmix machine in some markets.
Among the smallest dispensers available are soda guns (also called "bar guns"). Soda Guns Soda guns (also called "bar guns") are the smallest dispensers available. They have a wide variety of flavor dispensing options while using a minimal amount of counter space and are popular in home applications and bar settings. We use Wunder-Bar soda guns in our home soda fountain systems so you can be sure you're getting the best quality bar gun available. We have labeled all of the hoses and professionally clamped all of the fittings in place for you, making it easy to install in your home or office. They offer a wide variety of flavor dispensing options while using a minimal amount of counter space, making them popular in both home and commercial settings.
Global Variations
Self-service soda fountains also gained popularity in other parts of the world, such as the Eastern Bloc countries. In the Eastern Bloc countries, self-service soda fountains, located in shopping centers or farmers' markets or simply on the sidewalk in busy areas, became popular by the mid-20th century. In the USSR, a glass of carbonated water would sell for 1 kopeck, while a glass of fruit-flavored soda would sell for 3 kopecks.
Modern Soda Fountain Systems
Today, complete soda fountain systems are built to order, requiring a production lead time of several weeks. All complete systems are built to order. Please allow at least 3-4 weeks for production (not including transit time). If you are in need of a shorter lead time, please contact our office for assistance. All small parts ship in 1-2 business days.
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