INFORMATION AND PHOTOS Courtesy of Italtile
From basic water spouts to elegant modern designs, taps have been integral to our daily lives since 1700 BC.
The modern basin and sink mixers owe their existence to a young American engineering student named Alfred Moen, who in 1937, after scalding his fingers with hot water from an old-fashioned spigot, invented what he called a “single-handle mixing faucet”.
Moen continued to refine his invention after WWII, and by 1959, Fortune Magazine recognised his “single-handle faucet” as one of the top 100 best-designed mass-produced products, alongside the Model T Ford and Benjamin Franklin’s safer fire stove.
To truly understand the evolution of water flow systems, the team at Italtile gave us a quick history lesson, which begins in 1700 BC.
1700 BC
In the 1900s, during excavations to uncover the 1700 BC Minoan Palace of Knossos in Crete, archaeologists unearthed a system of terracotta pipes, with taps made from precious metals like gold and silver.
776 BC
Water in Athens was transported from the mountains through channels to street fountains, some of which are still functional at present. The fountains were equipped with spouts and spigots, but the majority of the population relied on water urns instead of indoor plumbing.
470 BC
Enter the Romans. This was the heyday of Roman engineering, and significant advancements were made in the construction of roads and aqueducts, greatly improving access to water. Although lead pipes were used (the Romans were unfortunately unaware of the harmful effects lead has on the body), brass water valves similar to those used in modern times were also prevalent. Elite villas and more luxurious homes had separate valves for hot water, cold water, and a ready mix of warm water. In contrast, the general population had to rely on public baths, public latrines, and fountains for their water needs.
At the same time the Chinese were using dragon-shaped valves carved out of brass at the end of pipes made from bamboo to deliver water.
43 – 410 AD
During this period the Roman Empire extended into England and Western Europe. Wealthy landowners, the church and the nobility were introduced to water delivery systems and water control valves.
5th – 14th Century
Following the decline of the Roman Empire, the intricate infrastructure of Europe deteriorated, and the Dark Ages resulted in a return to more primitive methods of accessing water (hello, muddy wells). 900 Years of tap-less living followed.
14th Century
As the Middle Ages began to take shape, the presence of taps was still rare in the UK… unless you were royalty. It is not surprising that King Edward III’s bathtub in Westminster Palace had a tap installed. The majority of the population, on the other hand, had to rely on wells and rivers for their water supply.
18th Century
Plumbing and taps became more accessible, but indoor taps and plumbing were only for the moneyed minority.
19th Century
With the Industrial Revolution’s mechanisation rumbling into being from around 1740, mass production of previously elite items, including taps, became possible. Around this time, Thomas Grill invented the tap spout aerator nozzle with threading which adjusted the water flow.
1970s
The ’70s saw the arrival of the ceramic disc single lever mixer.
1981
An Australian named Norman Wareham filed a patent for his hands-free invention which he called the sensor-activated tap.
Today
With advancements in robotics, AI, smart homes, nano and biotechnology, and 3D printing, we have entered the early stages of the fourth industrial revolution. How will taps evolve from here?
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