It’s pretty much accepted wisdom that sparkling water is infinitely more exciting than still. So it was good news all round when the SodaStream was invented, meaning sparkling was available at home. But did you know this nifty machine has some serious history? The company was founded in 1903, and while its commercial carbonation machines were popular with upper-class Brits through the 20s, the first machine for home use was produced in 1955. It's been a hit with the masses ever since.
If you enjoy the feeling of toasty toes when you get out of bed or step out from your morning shower, you have the homes of the ancient Romans to thank. They developed the ‘hypocaust system’, which circulates hot air via pipes beneath the floorboards of a room to keep you warm. In fact, the earliest system on record looks likely to have been installed at the temple of Ephesus in 350 BC. And there we were, thinking this upgrade was the height of modernity.
They're delightfully whimsical and add grandeur to any bedroom they're in, but what exactly is the point of a four-poster bed? Well, first of all, they were built to have the curtains drawn which kept common draughts out. They were also popular in royal servant quarters, as they provided privacy. From the medieval era, beds became popular spots for public appearances and holding court, so the bed needed to impress too. Fortunately, those days are behind us.
They look entirely of the moment, but this popular mirror design actually has a long history. Some say that Louis XIV of France, known as 'The Sun King', invented the mirror, others suggest its heritage is found in ecclesiastical designs dating back to medieval times. Either way, the design took on a life of its own and the 20th century witnessed an explosion in popularity which has ebbed and flowed ever since.
The idea of a conservatory began to gain traction in the 16th century, when rich homeowners developed a taste for lemons and oranges. They bought these interesting citrus fruits from traders from the Mediterranean and promptly decided to have a go at cultivating them for themselves. Orangeries, as they were known, were used not only to grow crops but also as venues for social interaction, which is how many of us like to enjoy them to this day.
Developed in the Persian Empire, kilim rugs have been produced since ancient times – rugs have been found that date to the 4th or 5th century. Characterised by flat surfaces that come from tightly interwoven weaves, kilim rugs have well and truly stood the test of time and remain as popular now as they were when they were first invented.
Dating back to the Mesopotamia era, mosaic tiles were popular in Ancient Greece and Rome. Artists used the mosaic tiles to create pictures, and later decorated walls and ceilings in religious buildings with their designs. Modern craftspeople continue to make use of this flexible form of decoration, but they're just as popular with homeowners looking to add a touch of handmade aesthetic to their bathrooms and kitchens.
Airing cupboards are usually built around a water heater, like an immersion heater, boiler or hot water storage tank. One of the first modern hot water central heating systems was invented in the 1830s, but it wasn't until the 50s and 60s that they took off, and with them, airing cupboards. The shelves in these cupboards are often slatted to allow air to flow, but they also make a useful temporary drying space. However, with the onset of combi boilers, airing cupboards are rapidly disappearing.
They add a splash of colour to our beds in winter, not to mention an extra layer of warmth, but how long ago did humans cotton on to the idea of quilting? The oldest known quilt is shown on a carving of a Pharaoh from the ancient Egyptian First Dynasty, around 3400 BC. Nevertheless, quilting didn't take off in Europe until around the 12th century when they were discovered after the return of the Crusaders from the Middle East.
Bread bins (or, in America, bread boxes) were used to keep baked goods fresh in the days before commercial bread was commonplace. The history is sparse, but the Smithsonian has a bread bin from the late 1800s in their collection. While most bread we buy now has preservatives in it, the rise of home baking and artisan bakeries has seen a return of the humble bread bin.
Named after the first-ever satellite, which was launched in 1957 by the Soviet Union and increased Cold War tensions, the Sputnik light took its cues from space. It isn't 100% agreed who came up with the initial design, as it was reimagined multiple times in the 50s and 60s during the Atomic Age, when design looked to science for inspiration. Despite its long history, these designs still look fresh and continue to be used in homes around the globe.
Long associated with nobility, velvet was first introduced in Baghdad around 750 AD. The time and skill involved in making velvet was such that it was only available to the wealthiest members of society. The industrial revolution changed all that, and from the 1900s velvet became a mainstay of interiors. Today we associate velvet sofas with the glamour of the 1920s, and they are popular in all manner of styles and shades, from sweet pastels to rich jewel tones.
With a history going as far back as ancient Egypt and Greece, the humble headboard has been around for a long time. Headboards started off carved in ebony, silver and gold for Egyptian pharaohs, before moving on to a practical wooden design for ancient Greeks and Romans. Upholstered headboards became popular in the 17th century as a comfier alternative, and they've remained a popular choice ever since.
Characterised by many square pull-out drawers, these antique cabinets were once used to house medicines, tobacco, spices and herbs. They would either be mounted in shops, or carted from house to house, as an efficient way to store lots of individual items. Today the item is enjoying a resurgence, thanks to the high-quality craftsmanship, retro style and many practical uses.
For many busy people, the microwave is the cornerstone of the kitchen – but just how long has this modern convenience been around? It was actually invented by an American engineer after World War II, inspired by radar technology developed during the war. It was called the 'Radarange' and debuted in 1946, but commercial microwaves didn't really take off in a big way until the 1970s when both the size and price point became more accessible.
People often call any plastic food storage Tupperware, but the real deal was invented in 1942 by Earl Tupper. What set his product apart was the airtight nature of it, thanks to the patented 'burping seal'. Tupperware really picked up in the 1950s thanks to Tupperware parties, and while many people have swapped over to glass storage containers, plastic containers remain a kitchen staple.
Polytetrafluoroethylene (better known by the common brand name Teflon) was accidentally discovered in 1938. But it wasn't until 1961 that the first PTFE-coated pan, known as 'The Happy Pan', was launched. There are now lots of brands offering non-stick pans, which remain popular with consumers thanks to the ease of use.
References to horologia (from Greek, meaning 'hour' and 'to tell') started to pick up from 1280, while spring-driven clocks arrived in the 15th century, followed in 1656 by the development of the pendulum clock. Despite all these advances, it wasn't until 1816 that clocks became a staple of many home, after a US-based clockmaker developed a system for mass-producing clocks by using interchangeable parts.
Essential to the making of delicious smoothies, soups and sauces, most contemporary home cooks wouldn't be without a blender. The first one was developed by Polish-American chemist Stephen Poplawski. It started off as a drink mixer in 1919, but by 1922 he had developed the ‘liquefier blender’. As the design was refined through the 30s and 40s, blenders became more widespread.
The thought of having to clean a house without a vacuum cleaner would have most of us breaking out in a cold sweat, but before the turn of the 20th century, that's exactly what you'd have to do. While the first manual vacuum cleaner was developed in the 1860s, it wasn't until 1898 that a patent for a 'pneumatic carpet renovator' was filed. And all our lives got significantly easier.
Without this invention, our homes wouldn't be filled with our favourite tunes. Used in 1880, horns were the earliest form of noise amplification, but they wouldn't be appropriate for home use. The modern speaker that we know today required an understanding of electricity, radio, sound waves, mechanics, chemistry and physics and, as such, wasn't invented until 1921.
A staple in many family gardens all over the world, the trampoline provides hours of entertainment. A similar game was created by the Inuits, who used a taut walrus skin to launch dancers into the air during their spring celebrations, but the first modern trampoline as we know it was built in 1936 and invented by a pair of gymnasts.
There's plenty to suggest that our appreciation for curtains goes way back. There’s evidence of their existence at excavation sites in Pompeii and Herculaneum, while mosaics from the 2nd century also depict curtains hanging from rods across arches. In England, they started to overtake wooden shutters at the end of the 16th century, and now there are more styles of curtains than you would ever believe!
The rise of slow cookers grew with the advent of women working outside the home in the 1940s. A slow cooker meant that dinner could be prepared in the morning, and the family would return home to a hot, nutritious meal after school and work. With our hectic modern lifestyles, it's easy to see why they remain a must-have yet retro kitchen appliance.
This ubiquitous jar is named after John Landis Mason, who patented Mason jars in 1858. Made to preserve or can food, mason jars remain popular with home cooks across the world, with the original style being the most covetable (there are many imitations nowadays). As well as being used for preserving food, they are also used to store juices and smoothies as well as salads, and even for home decoration.
Love to lounge? Then you should thank cousins Edward Knabusch and Edwin Shoemaker. Builders of novelty furniture, in 1928 they designed a chair that followed the curves of the human body when sat and leaning back. This style has remained popular throughout generations, and is particularly suited to a Netflix binge.
Inventor Marie Van Brittan Brown made one of the first the home security systems in 1966, receiving a patent for it in 1969. It involved a 'video scanning device‘ mounted on an entrance door of a house, so the occupant could see who was there. It was also kitted out with 'audio intercommunication equipment' to allow the two to communicate if necessary, and a radio-controlled alarm could be used for 'alerting a guard, policeman or watchman at a security station.'
Cushions are a decorative must-have for most of us, but they used to be a luxury item that only the richest members of society could afford. They date back to 7,000 BC, when they were used as a status symbol – being uncomfortable was not a good look for the status-obsessed living in those times. While no cushions from this period survive, they are depicted in ancient wall art.
The hallmark of an office worker who takes their health seriously, it would be easy to assume a standing desk was a modern reaction to a modern problem. Yet it's believed its history goes way back: Leonardo da Vinci was said to come up with many of his best ideas at his standing desk. Regardless, the contraption became more popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, with a self-help book from the era recommending them.
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