– Background of John Matthews:
– English-born American inventor and soda water manufacturer
– Known as The Soda Fountain King
– Manufactured carbonating machinery
– Distributed products through retail stores
– Equipment involved lead-lined cast-iron box for gas formation
– Carbonation Process:
– Gas formed by mixing sulfuric acid with marble dust
– Gas purified by passing through water
– Tank partially filled with cool water for impregnation
– Tank rocked for a quarter to half hour
– Resulted in bubbly carbonated water
– Fountain Apparatus Invention:
– Created apparatus for pharmacists’ counters
– Dispensed carbonated drinks
– Popularized carbonated beverages
– Led to rapid growth of soda fountain industry
– Positioned on counters for easy access
– Monument and Burial:
– Buried at Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York
– Monument designed by Karl Muller
– Monument cost $30,000
– Monument features gargoyles draining excess water
– Monument a tribute to Matthews’ legacy
– Additional Resources:
– See also: Soda fountain
– External links: John Matthews – Father of the Soda Fountain
– External links: The Soda Fountain by Joseph L Morrison
– References: findagrave entry
– References: The Spectacular Matthews Monument at Green-Wood
John Matthews (1808–1870) was an English-born American inventor and soda water manufacturer. He is known as "The Soda Fountain King".
Matthews manufactured carbonating machinery and distributed his product through retail stores. The equipment was a lead-lined cast-iron box where carbonic acid gas was formed by mixing sulfuric acid with marble dust. The gas was then purified by passing it through water, and then into a tank partially filled with cool water. The tank was rocked for a quarter to a half hour, until the water was impregnated and bubbly.
Matthews created a fountain apparatus that could be positioned on a pharmacist's counter to dispense carbonated drinks, leading to its popularization and rapid growth.
He is buried at Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York. His monument was designed by Karl Muller and cost $30,000. When it rains, excess water drains from the gargoyles' mouths.