Soda fountain facts for kids
A soda fountain is a special machine that makes bubbly drinks, also known as fountain drinks. It works by mixing flavored syrup with fizzy water. This fizzy water is made by adding carbon dioxide gas to purified, cold water. Soda fountains can be operated by a person or be fully automatic, like a vending machine. These machines first appeared a long time ago, in the 1700s. They became very popular in the 1800s and were common everywhere by the early 1900s.
Contents
What is a Soda Fountain?
A soda fountain is a device designed to create soft drinks on the spot. It combines different ingredients to make your favorite fizzy beverages. These drinks are often called "fountain drinks" because they come from a fountain-like dispenser.
How Do Soda Fountains Work?
The main idea behind a soda fountain is to mix three things together:
- Syrup: This is a thick, sweet liquid that gives the drink its flavor. Think of it like a very concentrated juice.
- Carbon Dioxide: This is a gas that makes drinks bubbly. It's the same gas you breathe out, but here it's used to create fizz.
- Water: Usually, this is purified and chilled water. It's the main liquid part of your drink.
The machine takes the syrup and mixes it with the carbonated water. This process can be done manually by a person, or it can be fully automatic. Automatic machines are often found in fast-food restaurants or movie theaters.
A Look Back in Time
Soda fountains have a long and interesting history. They first showed up in the 18th century, which was the 1700s. Back then, they were much simpler than today's machines.
During the 19th century (the 1800s), soda fountains became very popular. They were often found in drugstores and ice cream parlors. These places became social spots where people could gather and enjoy a refreshing drink. By the early 20th century (the 1900s), soda fountains were common in many towns and cities. People would often order an ice cream soda, which is a scoop of ice cream in a fizzy drink.
Images for kids
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A "soda jerk" serving an ice cream soda. His left hand rests on the tap of a soda fountain (1936).
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An early soda fountain, from an 1872 engraving.
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Hess Brothers Soda Fountain in Allentown PA, 1913.
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A "soda jerk" serving an ice cream soda in a century-old diner in Bramwell, WV (2013).
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Flavored syrups packaged for insertion into a contemporary soda fountain.
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See also
In Spanish: Dispensador de refresco para niños
