We walk by soda fountains all the time without a second thought, but they are actually quite incredible. In the United States, soda fountains actually have a long history of cultural significance that deserves a little more attention. So let’s look at the history of the soda fountain.
History of the Soda Fountain: The Original Soda Fountain
The first American soda fountains weren’t all that different from the ones we think of today. The original was patented in 1819 by a physician named Samuel Fahnestock. This relatively simple machine was composed of a specialized barrel with a pump and a spigot.
While the original soda fountain wasn’t serving up soft drinks, it was more than capable of producing carbonated water. This nifty device hid most of its inner workings behind the counter in much the same way that modern Los Angeles soda fountain equipment does today.
The Evolution of the Soda Fountain
Over the course of the 19th century, the early soda fountain got a little more high-tech. The machine invented by John Matthews in 1832 made soda fountains much more cost-effective. As a result, their use spread to individual shops. Drug stores and street vendors could officially afford to sell sparkling water and make a profit.
The nineteenth century also witnessed the aesthetic elevation of the soda fountain. These machines were nothing like the ones we see today. They were grand devices modeled after classical themes. The fanciest soda fountain resembled a carved column with endless intricate details. They were crafted from marble, brass, and mirror to create unforgettable centerpieces.
Soda Fountains and 20th Century Youth Culture
As soda fountains continued to evolve, they worked their way into everything from barbershops to restaurants. In many ways they became an iconic part of American culture and social behaviors. This trend is most apparent in 1950s American youth culture.
Prior to the mid-20th century, youth culture didn’t really exist. The shift from childhood to adulthood proved more clearly defined with little in the middle. That all changed as the concept of the “teenager” began to develop.
The Development of Youth Culture
You could certainly argue that this concept began to emerge around the time of the first world war. Still, the idea of being a young adult and having a unique cultural identity based on your age was not well established until the mid-1940s.
In the 1950s, the concept of the teenager and youth culture became the dominant feature of American culture. To this day, if you think of the 1950s, you probably picture young people gathered around a soda fountain in a brightly colored diner.
The Cultural Significance of Soda Fountains
Between the 1940s and the 1970s soda fountains created central locations where young people could meet, share cultural experiences, and express new ideas. These soda fountains may not have been the salons or the coffee houses of the Enlightenment, but they were a vital part of the consolidation of American youth culture.
More than seventy years later, we still identify cultural periods based on the youth culture of the day. While soda fountains may not be a central theme of today’s youth culture, there is no denying that soda fountains have played an important role in American culture and our shared memory of the past.
Carrying that Legacy Forward
At SC Beverage Company, we are proud to continue the tradition of bringing cost-effective soda fountains into locations where people can enjoy a refreshing drink together. Something as small as a shared conversation between friends or family is a testament to the enduring ability of a soda fountain to bring us all together.
