Carbonated Drink in England

During the 17th century, scientists in Europe became interested in the potential health benefits of the fizzy bubbles that were naturally present in the water from certain mineral springs.

Carbonation brought soft drinks into new era in 1741, when Dr, William Brownrigg first made soda water in England. His method of infusing plain water with carbon dioxide required immediate bottling to retain the fizz.

In 1772, Joseph Priestley famed for his work with oxygen and English grammar demonstrated a practical way to carbonated water with a pump and for this, Priestley has been dubbed ‘the father of the soft drink industry’.

Thomas Henry, a druggist ion Manchester, England, made the first large –scale batches of carbonated water using an apparatus based in Priestley’s invention.

By the last quarter of the century a number of large scale manufacturers had emerged in the soft drinks industry, using expensive machinery and either processing their own materials or buying from specialist. 

Jacob Schweppe, a jeweler from Geneva, started a business selling carbonated water, first in Geneva and later in London. The manufacturing of soft drinks didn’t begin until the 1830s, however, with the introduction of bottled soda water some flavor with birch bark, dandelions, sarsaparilla, ginger and lemon.

Technology also entered into the closure of bottles. In 1870 H. Codd invented closure by a glass ball in the bottle neck.

The more hygienic screw top was patented in 1879, followed in 1888 by W. J. King’s lever closure.
Carbonated Drink in England