From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Soda fountain is a North American term referring to the carbonated drink dispensers found in fast food restaurants and convenience stores in the US and Canada. These devices combine syrup (commonly dispensed from a Bag-In-Box), carbon dioxide, and water to make soft drinks.

The soda fountain was a business that added flavors, sweeteners and effervescent ingredients to water to make a delicious beverage that was enjoyed onsite. Often each establishment would have their own special recipes for the syrups that gave the beverage its distinctive taste. With the advent of refrigeration came the addition of ice cream to the soda fountain.

An early soda fountain, from an 1872 engraving.

The soda fountain that has become part of the American schema and imagination really began at the turn of the 20th century and continued until it completely collapsed in the 1970’s. It wasn’t until Jacob Baur began to manufacture carbon dioxide in tanks that the real soda fountain was born. Baur was a pharmacist who started the Liquid Carbonic Co. in 1887 and eventually began to manufacture and market the Liquid Carbonic soda fountains in the early 1900’s. A potential soda-maker could purchase a Liquid Carbonic soda fountain, complete with operations and recipe manual, from Baur and set up shop. He could go into the soda fountain business.

Historically, a soda fountain referred to the counter in a drugstore (pharmacy) where sodas, ice cream, sundaes, hot beverages, iced beverages, baked goods and light meals were prepared and served. The rise of Dairy Queens, ice cream stands, fast food establishments and diners were a setback for pharmacy fountains, but many soda shops still remain.

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