The Washington herald., 1913-07-27
History of Soda Water, the American Beverage

the apparatus with which to make IT.;
Charles Lippincott, Of Philadelphia, was
also engaged in the production Of soda
water In the early sos, and within a few
years the names Of Matthews. Puffer.
Tufts. and Lippincott were closely asso-
ciated with the manufacture q soda
water apparatus.
CarbOnating Machinery Erected.
1t was at this period. eighty years ago,
that the American soda fountain was
born. although its possibilities were by
no means realized. and its early swad-
ding bands were coarse and clumsy. in
deed.
The first improvement made in this ap-
paratus was the Introduction Of a sepa-
rate wooden generator. This was sup
ported on a tripod and provided with an
agitator, which was simply a wooden rod
passing through a bladder in the top of
the generator. This rod could be moved
readily. the bladder preventing the gas
from escaping. The gasometer and other
features have since followed today. al
though outwardly there is no resemblance
in the apparatus The pump, the COM
pressor. the fountain, the gas washer are
all modern perfecting developments.
III 1870 VI lS1J the uTSI SiTupco 0Oud
water was bottled In this country by
Eugene Roussel, a Frenchman, who kept
a perfumery shop In Philadelphia. He
had a dispensing apparatus in his store
and the idea came to him that there was
a legitimate extension of his business in
the bottling and sale of soda water or
mineral water" as II was then called.
The first sirup bottled was lemon, and
Roussel soon established business and
a reputation. and was followed closely by
other Philadelphia competitors, SO that
within few years there were no less
than half a dozen manufacturers OF
bottled carbonates in the Quaker City
alone.
It took about six years for the new
trade to reach New York. for in the
spring of 1s43 three soda water bottling
establishments were opened in this city
simultaneously by Philadelphians-John
Tweedie. A. W. Rapp. and Thomas New
ton. They all started the same week.
The first soda water sold in New York,
Of the bottled variety. was made by
Roussel in Philadelphia. and shipped to
John Tweeddle for sale. 1t was pure
food" soda even in those days, for the
greatest care was exercised in its COM
pounding and preparation: the sugar en-
ployed was the best loaf: the whites of
eggs were used to clarity It: and the
sirup was well boiled and strained be-
fore the fiavoring was Incorporated.
First Soda Dispenser.
The first soda dispenser in New York
City was an aged negro, Ben Susten.
better known as "Old Ben." who was
born a slave on the plantation of a Mr..
Austin in North Carolina. He was given
his freedom at his masters death and
came to New York in 1886. In 1885 he
had his first experience in the soda water
business with John Matthews. The elder
Matthews at that ime was established
at s. Gold Street, where he manu-
soda-water apparatus. Soon af-
terward he undertook to make soda
water with q wooden generator, q gas
meter and a pump. The gas passed from
the generator into the gasmeter and was
thence pumped to the fountain. Two or
three gasmeterfuls was the fountain
and "Old Ben's thumb applied
to the fountain cock was safety valve
and pressure gauge alike. II the thumb
could hold its own against the pressure,
more gas was pumped into the fountain:
II the thumb was forced from the open
cock. 1t was decided that the pressure
was at least $50 pounds and the fountain
was deemed charged.
Oto oeu USED 70 supply tne CITY GUS
toners. and he began, in 1883. the deliv-
cry Of soda water to the Matthews
clients. As the business grew, an engine
was installed. and "Old Ben" was made
the fireman. Later he was again pro-
NOTED and put into the machine shop.
where he was used to assemble iron
fountains and coat the inside with par
rafin. There Is no doubt that John Mat
thews obtained his idea Of the pressure
gauge and safety cap for generations
from "Old Benz thumb.
Such were the first uncertain steps IN
his typical American infant" industry.
In 1slA. A. D. Puffer, of Boston. began
the manufacture Of soda water apparatus
and was granted q patent on . cooler
Tor sodA- water. A. ]. Morse, In his day
The leading coppersmith Of Boston. was
! contemporary Of Mr.. Puffer. and to
.hese two men the trade owes many valu-
lble inventions and improvements. Morse
was the inventor and manufacturer Of Q
vertical copper generator and portable
copper fountains or tanks. for hold.
ng and transporting the carbonated
water. In 1sf Willia-, Gee. Of New York,
Who had served az an appreutico under