Soda water machine

This is a compressor used to add carbonic acid and carbonated water from the expansion tank. Fitted with systems for controlling flow from the gas nozzle, it has cranks, connections, an electric motor, regulators and pressurised cylinders. It is connected to the rest of the system via ducts and copper pipes. In the foreground is a collection of soda water bottles. This machine was patented and manufactured by Talleres Mecánicos Evaristo Barranca in Barcelona.

It comes from the Urteaga soda water factory (Beasain, Gipuzkoa). In the 1930s, the Urteaga family manufactured bleach (under the name Lejía Euskalduna). They went on to make soda water and subsequently bought the Nazabal factory in Ordizia and the Patxiku factory in Tolosa, both in Gipuzkoa. They finally ceased making carbonated drinks in 2004.

This piece was donated to the Provincial Government of Gipuzkoa in 2014, together with other pieces from the same set by Jone Osinalde.

Bibliography:

Urdangarín, Carmelo ; Izaga, José Mª. Elaboradores de lejía. In: Oficios tradicionales. [Donostia = San Sebastián] : Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa, Departamento de Economía y Turismo. 1997. IV, 187-196.

http://www.oficiostradicionales.net/es/urbanos/lejia/

Inventory number: GFA-042054-001