The soda water dispensers used in the USSR at one time are unlikely to be understood by today's youth. It's hard to believe, but the invention of Schwepp in 1783 is considered to be the first such device. In many ways, this is surprising because machine guns came to the USSR many times later and became popular since the 1950s.
What is it about?
For those who don't know what we're talking about, it's worth explaining what a soda machine is. In the USSR and other countries, this was the name of a vending machine that prepared and sold carbonated drinks. The basis for such lemonades was a saturator that produces carbon dioxide in the liquid.
The emergence of the machine was due to Thorbern Olaf Bergman, who just developed the saturator. Later, this apparatus was improved and became an industrial device for dispensing mineral water. Johann Jakob Schwepp worked on such an invention in 1783. It was thanks to this German specialist that a soda machine appeared in the USSR.
Design
Practically all the machines functioned one at a time andthe same principle. Inside was a water-cooling device, a saturator and containers with syrup. It was thanks to them that the drink was obtained. A water dispenser was used to dispense the liquid. It was also necessary to take care of the pressure of water and gas, so a special relay was invented.
Not without a carbon dioxide cylinder, thanks to which the saturator saturates the liquid. Some machines received a display, a control panel and a coin mechanism. All this made it possible to choose, order and pay for the desired drink. All this was complemented by the mechanism for issuing lemonade.
First appearance
Soviet soda machine appeared approximately in 1932. In one of the Moscow newspapers, information appeared that the worker Agroshkin had made an interesting invention. Journalists wrote that the first saturator is already ready for use and is located at a certain address.
Active use
But active use of soda machines in the USSR began only in the early 1950s. Already then in Moscow it was possible to find more than 10 thousand automatic machines. Their main advantage was the location of devices in almost every public place.
The devices worked in a certain season: from May to September. In winter, they were protected from adverse conditions with a special metal "cover". They gained popularity due to the fact that they were available, and drinks were sold cheaply. Therefore, in the summer, a queue could gather for them.
Cost
Vending machinesIn the USSR, carbonated water was offered two drinks: carbonated water without syrup cost 1 kopeck, and with syrup - 3. A little later, it was decided to add several flavors for the syrup. This is how apple and pear syrup and cream soda were born.
Many users noticed that for a drink with a high concentration of syrup, it was necessary to remove the glass from the machine before it was filled to the top. This was due to the fact that at first the dispenser supplied all the syrup, and then topped up with regular sparkling water.
By the way, the cost in some regions could be different. For example, in the Georgian SSR, devices accepted 5 kopecks, but poured a double portion of syrup.
Types of machines
At that time, two types of device were released: for glass (AT-100C, AT-101C) and cardboard (AT-102) cups.
Glass cup vending machines had a special design that included a separate container washer. It consisted of a metal grill and a valve-valve. It was necessary to use an inverted glass as a lever to press. At this moment, a jet of cold water was rinsing the container.
Of course, this method of washing had a drawback: the outer side of the glass, which was touched by the lower lip of a person, was not washed in any way, respectively, saliva remained on the glass. Despite such seemingly unsanitary conditions, there were no officially known cases of infectious diseases. The machines themselves, according to the norms, had to be washed with hot water and soda.
Soviet production was established, so the machines were produced almost identical design. Saturators worked with a compressor refrigeration unit with freon. For their operation, it was necessary to connect to the mains, as well as to the city water supply.
Use
Soviet-era soda machines could stand alone or in a group. As a rule, the complexes included more than five machines, and there was a special point for changing coins nearby.
It was also possible to find a whole pavilion in which the sale of sparkling water was organized. Such points could be located in very crowded places, for example, at VDNKh.
The appearance of the automata also did not change much over the years of its existence. But still, some minimal changes were tried to be introduced. For example, back in the 60s and 70s, devices had rounded corners, chrome parts, moldings, and advertising windows. The body itself was often red. Already after the 70s, devices with right angles, a calm light gray color and a laconic inscription began to appear.
By the way, practically no one stole glass glasses themselves. The only exceptions were people who wanted to drink alcohol on the street. Sometimes such a container was replaced with a metal one and chained to it.
Features of the devices
Later it turned out that such machines can be deceived. Some tied a coin to a fishing line, lowered it into a coin acceptor, and afterpulled out. It was also possible to find washers of suitable dimensions.
One of the most absurd secrets was told by the plot of Yeralash. One of the episodes was devoted just to the vending machine for soda water. It turned out that you can hit it hard and the water will pour for free.
There were also free devices, which were usually located in specially designed places. For example, in fire departments or in special industries. Such devices were not equipped with a coin-operated mechanism. People could choose water, soda, and a serving of s alt. The latter was served so that anyone who sweats excessively could replenish the s alt content in the body.
New drinks coming out
Later, other drinks began to appear in soda machines. Devices began to offer juices, beer and wine. A glass at that time cost 15 kopecks. During the 1980 Olympic Games, they began to sell licensed Fanta. Later, the Tarragon drink appeared in some regions.
Current situation
From that time, not only photos of soda machines in the USSR remained, but also shots from popular films: “The Most Charming and Attractive” or “Shurik's Adventures”. But the production of automatic weapons in the post-Soviet space has become unprofitable.
They were broken for a long time, and then they were scrapped. Partially damaged by vandalism. Some devices no longer worked in automatic mode - they were serviced by a special employee who tookbanknotes and gave a cup.
Now it will be a blessing to meet such a machine for everyone who is nostalgic for that time. Some companies are trying to repeat the Soviet design. Modern machines accept coins and paper bills.
