Tag Archives: invented

Who Invented Wall Fountains?

March 04, 2023   Matt

Who Invented Wall Fountains?

Wall fountains are also known as single face or façade fountains. It is not possible to ascribe the invention of wall fountains to an individual. However, it can be said with certainty that wall fountains did not originate in the western world. The hot and dusty climes of the ancient Middle East led to the development of garden and wall fountains. The ancient architects drew inspiration from the serene surroundings of the oases that dotted the desert landscape. Walls of ancient Egyptian tombs have sketches of gardens with fountains.

Wall fountains were placed both indoor and outdoors; although their objective was primarily decorative, they were also used for daily washings and ablutions. Another interesting use of wall fountains was to prevent eavesdroppers from listening to sensitive conversations. The water speed could be manipulated to achieve different sounds such as trickles, gurgles, etc. Public water systems were usually the water-source for outdoor wall fountains.

The ancient Greeks and Romans too had wall fountains as an intrinsic part of their culture. The outdoor fountains had multiple tiers of basins on elaborately sculptured walls. However, only the wealthy could afford indoor fountains. The most commonly used materials for wall fountains were rock, marble, bronze, limestone, etc. Gravity was used to power the fountains. In medieval Europe, wall fountains were found in the gardens in monasteries. Decorative masks added a visual appeal and helped to conceal the plumbing. These wall fountains drew from Greco-Roman as well as Persian influences.

In the present times, wall fountains are popular with homeowners across all economic segments. They are easily available, easy to install, and do not require any major maintenance. Wall fountains on decks and patios offer homeowners the opportunity of sitting back and relaxing to the soothing sounds of flowing water. Some homeowners prefer to place a wall fountain along their walkway.

Wall water fountains are available in a variety of designs that can create an ambience that can be either rustic or sophisticated. Stone wall fountains have been firm favorites over the ages and continue to enamor enthusiasts with their feel and look that can encompass the range from earthy and antique to designer contemporary.

Lion head waterfalls have been traditionally well accepted and those crafted in antique stone style are an inexpensive and popular wall fountain option even today. Steel wall fountains are an alternative for those on the look-out for something contemporary. The 100% stainless steel reflects the water to produce a beautiful effect. Steel wall fountains are lightweight and do not stress the walls too much.

Wall fountains made from copper are extremely beautiful and hardy. They blend with any décor and are available in a wide variety of sizes and styles. Among the various wall fountain materials, glass is a relative newcomer but is already very popular. Frosted-, etched-, beveled-glass are some of the design options available with glass. Glass wall fountains are available in different colors and can be combined with other materials such as wood to provide a unique look.

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Who invented the vacuum cleaner?

January 24, 2022   Matt

Who invented the vacuum cleaner?

Like a lot of inventions over the years the invention of the vacuum cleaner is also surrounded with great debate as to who came up with the first vacuum cleaner. We have to go as far back as the 1800’s to try and understand what people had in their homes and how they went about cleaning.

Firstly we can trace one of the earliest and better known devices back to 1860 when David Hess came up with a way to solve a problem which housewives were having at the time. In those days people used rugs on the bare wooden floors to try and keep the dust down to a minimum. Of course all the dust remained on the rug and the only way off was to hang the rug and whack it with a stick. Shortly after came the rug-beater, which resembled a tennis racket.

However, it was only David Hess who thought there must be an easier way to do the rug cleaning and he came up with a Carpet Sweeper which had a rotating brush with a bellows system which provided the suction. Is or was this a ‘vacuum cleaner’? The machine also consisted of two water chambers which collected the fine dust and particles. The only problem with this invention is that there is no proof it was ever produced.

Then along came Melville Bissell, who’s surname will sound familiar if you know your vacuum cleaners, who also came up with a carpet sweeper that picked up dirt and deposited it in a pan behind the sweeper head.

But it wasn’t until 1899, when what can be described as the first ‘motorized’ cleaner, was invented by John Thurman and it was another few years before Hubert Booth of London came up with the first electric vacuum. The only problem was that the vacuum was so big it was stored on the back of a
trailer outside the house and a very long hose was run inside to do the cleaning.

As time went by more and more inventors had a go at coming up with the ultimate cleaner and one which could be used in the home without much fuss and was portable. Then along came James Spangler in 1908 with the first portable suction cleaner. This cleaner proved to be extremely popular and
for some reason he sold the patent to William Hoover. Yes, the man who’s name has become synonymous with house cleaning. The fact that the Hoover name stuck was a testament to how good and popular the early cleaners were and now nearly 100 years later the vacuum cleaner can still be best
described a clunky, noisy piece of hardware. Although innovative designs such as the Dyson and the next generation robotic Roomba are starting to give us some idea of what we can expect of 21st century vacuum cleaners.

Whoever is responsible for the invention of the vacuum cleaner, of which I believe there are many, would be proud to know that the principles of their early day designs still remain in vacuumcleaners in millions of homes around the world.

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