John Mathews - Father of American Soda Water

John Mathews has been called the "Father of American Soda Water" by the soda fountain industry and by most historians. Carbonated beverages were not successful until 1832, when John Mathews invented an "apparatus for charging water with carbon dioxide gas."

John Mathews immigrated to the United States in 1832 from England where he had been instrumental to the soda water trade for several years.

John Mathews - Father of American Soda Water

John Mathews had learned the basics about making carbonic acid gas and building carbonating machinery from Joseph Bramah. After Mathews immigrated to New York, he began supplying carbonated water to establishments of the area. At that time soda water was served cold and unflavored. Under his influence, the American soda industry grew.