History of the Water Cooler – Where

Did it All Begin?

The humble water cooler – a device to chill (and more recently, heat) your drinking water bean as humbly
as it stands as a piece of equipment today. The water cooler – from a simple block of ice dating back to
the Victorian days to now being noted as one of the most important pieces of equipment that has
contributed to the health and well-being of children and adults alike.

The water cooler has come a very long way indeed. About a century ago huge blocks of ice were used to
chill the contents of the water cooler but this meant that the unit itself was large and extremely heavy
which required the use of several men to move it.

The water cooler as we know it was first invented in the early 1906 and is credited to two men – Halsey
Willard Taylor and Luther Haws. Haws patented the first drinking faucet in 1911. It is believed that the
main reason behind the invention was to not only chill but to provide purified water. Contaminated
drinking water caused typhoid fever in Haws’ father who died as a result. Therefore Haws decided to
invent something which would provide safer drinking water.

Water coolers have evolved along with the times and today are compact, light, energy efficient and come
in a variety of models, colour and styles to suit most places. Today, many water coolers or dispensers
include a heating element to provide hot water along with chilled water. These dispensers must also
adhere to strict regulations, meeting health, sanitation and environmental standards.

The First Water Cooler

Early iterations of drinking fountains supplied water at room temperature, which made it a perfect
breeding ground for bacteria. The solution was a water cooler, a dispenser that would chill water, thereby
eliminating micro-organisms that could not result in disease.

Halsey Willard Taylor’s and Luther Haws’ water coolers made use of ice sourced from rivers to chill water,
which also presented a problem as this open source could also have surface water. Haws would go on to
patent the water faucet in 1911, and by 1938 water coolers began to make use of electricity and new laws
made it possible for water to be treated more effectively, thereby reducing typhoid infections drastically.

In modern times, the water cooler is now a more preferred source of water over a variety of alternatives
thanks to its cost effectiveness, portability and, of course, provision of safe drinking water for all to enjoy.
 One of the first water coolers

How Do Modern Water Coolers Prevent

Bacterial Growth?
You can read our full article on this topic here – but to summarise:

Modern coolers are fitted with an internal air filtration system. This system prevents bacteria from entering
your machine – negating the possibility of contaminated water, or the infiltration of unwanted
contaminants into the machine itself. This system also allows for the preservation of the water – giving
you the best possible taste without any unwanted odours either.

The water reservoirs housed within the cooler – for both the hot and cold water – are made from food-
grade stainless steel. This material is one of the most resistant to the growth of bacteria.

Lastly, the taps located at the front of your water cooler are nano-silver impregnated; nano-silver is
gaining notoriety for preventing any type of microbial growth, and this technology is being employed in all
types of household equipment – such as water coolers, refrigerators and even washing machines.

Combining all of these measures, your water cooler is not only pro-active in resisting bacterial growth, but
also in preserving the taste and quality of your water.

We speak only for our very own premium, purified water in this case, though

Sources: https://www.aquazania.co.za/2018/02/history-of-the-water-cooler-where-did-it-all-begin/