Unbelievable beauty in the utilitarian....

[James Burke]

Eons before the days of CNC, there was art nearly everywhere you looked. Oh how I long for days gone by. I believe the seller stated that it was from the early 1900s.

But back then, the water heater used to be a kitchen appliance...so it had to look nice.

Can you imagine working in the "Make it look pretty department" of most any industry back then?

 

[James Burke]

 

[Boudica]

You gonna get it running?

 

[James Burke]

You gonna get it running?

I didn't buy it...just saw it on Marketplace. It would most likely be dangerous to operate after all these years.

But believe me, if I had the extra cash laying around I would buy it just to look at.

I bought a new RUUD nearly two years ago and it didn't look nearly as ornate as this one.

JB

 

[James Burke]

Steampunk at its finest...

Here's what one another model looks like when disemboweled and reconfigured. Obviously the pressure gauges and a few other items are not original to the appliance. But it's still a work of art.

JB

 

[GAC05]

Nice, a real Steam Punk device that makes - steam.

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

Looks really cool. Why did they call it a cock?

 

[GAC05]

What was the process for printing those instruction plates? They still look good.

 

[Johnny Best]

It has the same instructions that are on my gas hot water tank Which is just a plain white cylinder.

 

[GAC05]

Looks really cool. Why did they call it a cock?

To grab the attention of signmakers from Texas long enough for them to read all of the instructions. Keeps them distracted so they don't put their private parts on any of the glowing-red, cast iron parts while it is running. It's a 1907 OSHA thing.

 

[James Burke]

What was the process for printing those instruction plates? They still look good.

Typically, screen-printed enamel I believe. The metal plates were most likely acid etched or stamped. The serial numbers were stamped on later.

JB

 

[James Burke]

Looks really cool. Why did they call it a cock?

It means "valve".

Silcock, petcock, stopcock, gas cock....thank our friends from across the pond for the terminology.

Petcock is the abbreviated name for petrol cock.

JB

 

[Gino]

Whom gets to dust that one in your living room ??


Moody has a pet cock. He even names it.

 

[James Burke]

Whom gets to dust that one in your living room ??


Moody has a pet cock. He even names it.

I didn't buy it...just thought it was too cool not to share.

JB

 

[garyroy]

If someone restored that old RUUD water heater, that thing could go in an art museum.
Very cool engineering and beautiful design,

 

[James Burke]

If someone restored that old RUUD water heater, that thing could go in an art museum.
Very cool engineering and beautiful design,

I say put it in an art museum just as it is. The rusty patina is priceless.


JB

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

Well, it did get my attention and I read the whole thing... looking for how many cocks were in there.

 

[MikePro]

I wonder if women ever complained about how many cocks required manipulation in the morning.

 

[James Burke]

I wonder if women ever complained about how many cocks required manipulation in the morning.

Perhaps that's where we get the term "gaslighting". Just sayin'.


JB

 

[Johnny Best]

Tex is like Beaves and Butt-Head. "someone said cock, hehehahehehe".