Leonardo da Vinci said, “Water is the driver of Nature.” It’s certainly been the driver of invention, and our well-pumping ancestors wouldn’t believe the clean water technology we have available to us today. No doubt they’d be impressed by the filtration techniques, fancy chrome design, and even ionizing powers of our water fixtures nowadays.
Check out this timeline showcasing the evolution of water faucets, and perhaps you’ll gain a bit more gratitude for that underappreciated appliance atop your sink.
2000 BC
The Romans developed pipes made of cement, making the irrigation of water much cleaner and more efficient.
1700 BC
The Minoan Palace of Knossos on the Isle of Crete installed drainage systems and pipes that provided water for faucets.
500 BC
Hippocrates was ahead of his time in terms of purifying water for drinking. He invented the first cloth bag filter.
1500s
Leonardo da Vinci designed the first valves, a large component of water faucets. He illustrated the designs that preceded the faucets we use today.
1927
Colored faucets were introduced to the market. For the first time, people could choose colors and styles that appealed to their home’s design aesthetic.
1945
Landis Perry designed the ball valve for faucets. Ball valves control the amount of hot and cold water that comes through the spout.
1950s
Automatic faucets (in other words, hands-free) were first developed.
1980s
As public knowledge about germs and contamination became more prevalent, automatic faucets became widely available in public places, like airports and malls.
1990s
People began discovering that their tap water—so long revered as supremely healthy—could have harmful chemicals. The science of water ionization responded to the need for cleaner water every day at home.
Tyent USA has long been at the forefront of water technology, as it’s evolved from water faucets to the ionizers of today that can transform everyday tap water into antioxidant-laden and mineral-rich alkaline water. Check out the latest in the evolution of water: our water ionizers and portable alkalizer.
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