subject: The History of Homemade Soda [print this page] How often do we drink cola or orange fizz? At least once or twice a day - and that is often, at best, a conservative estimate; but have we ever wondered how soda was discovered? Let's take a look at the history of homemade soda and gain a deeper insight into the growth of the soda maker industry.
Invention of Homemade Soda
The term soda water' was first used in 1798, and the first cola flavored soda was introduced in 1881. Coca-Cola was invented in 1886 by Dr. John S. Pemberton, while Pepsi-Cola was invented in 1898 by Caleb Bradham. Little did these soda makers know about how huge their products would eventually turn out to be.
The history of homemade soda began as a result of natural human curiosity regarding natural springs. These mineral enriched with waters had curative properties, and it was found that carbon dioxide in the water lead to the formation of bubbles.
Homemade soda was actually discovered accidentally. In 1767, an Englishman named Joseph Priestley left a bowl of water over some fermenting beer. The carbon dioxide that was produced due to the fermentation process got infused with the water. This was the first step that led to the creation of soda.
After Priestley's accidental discovery, the next step was the creation of a machine which used sulfuric acid and chalk to make carbonated water, a machine currently known as soda maker. This apparatus was invented by Torbern Begman.
Soda Expansion through Time
Over time, various spices and flavors started being incorporated into soda to give it a delightful taste. By the early 1800s, soda water was being sold at pharmacies across major cities in the USA. Soda makers started flavoring their products, and soda fountains became a huge success as people thronged these pharmacies for their favorite drinks.
The practice of drinking homemade soda at ice cream parlors and pharmacies gained popularity. Consumers wanted to carry them home to have them at their own leisure. The glass industry was at its nascent stage, but with the invention of a machine to blow glass in the early 1900s, the production of glass increased.
Now that glass bottles were available in the market, the only problem that remained was how the gas in homemade soda could be prevented from escaping. Various caps, lids, and corks were tried and tested. The first successful attempt was made by William Painter, who used a crown cork bottle seal to keep the bubbles in the glass intact. This proved to be a boon for soda makers, as they were now able to transport their products all over the country.
Many more important landmarks in the history of homemade soda followed. In 1965, the re-sealable top was introduced. In 1970, plastic bottles started being used, and in 1973, the pet bottle was invented.
