History of the Water Cooler
The water cooler is a water storage device that is used frequently however very few people actually think about the water cooler or how it came into existence. The water cooler is not only a place to get a drink of water but also a gathering spot of sorts, hence the phrase “water cooler discussion”. There is quite an interesting history behind the water cooler that shows its importance and evolution.
The Beginning
The original water cooler is said to have been first used in the early to mid 1900s when a sanitary, cold-water producer was created. The first cold water fountains were chilled by being placed on a large block of ice. The water coolers progressed from the point of ice-cooling methods to large water coolers which were chilled by ammonia compressors. The water coolers of this time were free standing models which were not exactly state of the art compared to the sleek designs of today. It wasn’t until the 1950s that the water cooler began to progress.
The Evolution of the Water Cooler
Designers of the water coolers began to realize the utility of more slimmed down models and water coolers that were affixed to the wall were developed. Two of the initial drinking fountain and water cooler designers of the 1900s were Halsey Taylor and Luther Haws. They began to develop water coolers which would be suitable for large establishments such as schools and office buildings where smaller yet equally useful water coolers were needed.
Key Alterations to Water Coolers
As the years progressed, water coolers became more advanced and smaller in size. They were designed to fit the environment where they were placed and new technology was developed to enhance these structures and make them more useful to the general public. One key alteration the water cooler experienced was making it more user friendly for individuals with disabilities that would otherwise prevent them from using the water cooler. Certain adjustments made included lowering the water coolers and indenting them to provide space for wheelchairs to fit in close to the water cooler.
Water coolers also began to come in various styles as the years went by. Gone were the days where there was one simple and useful style of water cooler. One could now purchase and use a water cooler that came in a variety of shapes, materials and colors. The buttons and additional components were varied amongst water coolers manufactured by different companies and it was easy to find the perfect water cooler from the wide variety of water cooler styles available.
The 1980s Onward
As the early 1980s began water coolers continued to grow with regard to style and usefulness. The needs of the disabled were taken into account even more so and barrier-free water coolers were invented so that all individuals would find the water cooler easily accessible. In addition, CFC refrigerants were removed from the water coolers for environmental and health reasons and the HFC-134a refrigerant took its place.
One of the more important developments with regard to water cooler usage occurred in the 1990s where the needs of disabled individuals were further addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act, also known as the ADA. Outlined in the ADA were explicit details regarding how water coolers and water fountains were to be designed and made available so that all individuals could enjoy them. The result of this Act is easily seen by the existence of the two-level water coolers and water fountains that exist in public facilities these days.
Today, water coolers are found in a variety of places such as homes, office buildings, schools and other public facilities. This just goes to show how popular and necessary water coolers are. The water cooler industry continues to improve these devices by taking special notice of purification methods and abiding by laws and regulations which cite such purity standards. Only the future knows how the water cooler will continue to evolve, but for now it has been an interesting history few individuals are aware of yet is worthwhile to know.
About the Author
Written on behalf of Eden Springs UK Ltd – Europe’s leading bottled water service. Eden Springs supplies water coolers for offices, workplaces, schools, and homes throughout the UK.
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