In the workplace, in our schools and even in the home, water coolers have become a regular fixture here in the UK in 2014. But were you aware that these modern conveniences have been in existence since the early 20
th century? Yes, over 100 years ago in USA, there were water coolers and there is little doubt the people who were lucky enough to enjoy those early pioneering machines could have imagined how important they were to become in the future. Let's take a closer look at the history of these water dispensing devices and see how they have developed since those early days.
In the beginning
According to the history books, the very first water cooler was being used in USA just after the turn of the 20
th century. This machine was very likely a standalone machine that relied on manual refills and was probably kept cool with ice cubes being fed into the main body. In Victorian days, a simple but rather large block of ice was being used for the same effect. This may seem a little messy, but the end result certainly justified the means!
Back in the 1980's
So, fast forward to the 1980's and as well as some dodgy haircuts and even dodgier dress sense, we started to really take to water coolers in a big way. This was a very good move, particularly because it was apparent that we in the UK were not taking sufficient water on board. Most of these devices were bottle fed and the fact that bottled water was also becoming very popular certainly fuelled the hunger for these appliances in the workplace and other establishments.
Plastic instead of glass
As soon as bottled water suppliers switched from glass to plastic, the general public demanded more water coolers, especially to refill those portable drinking bottles. These machines have become far more technical and effective over the last few decades and digital controls and mains connection with a changeable filter system are all pretty much standard requirements today.
Coolers today are not just cool, and
bottled coolers are fast being replaced by
mains fed water coolers serving not only chilled filtered water, but ambient water and in some cases even hot water.
