history of griffins
Plumbing systems already existed in ancient times. In fact, around 1700 B.C. C., the Minoan Palace of Knossos on Crete first featured a terracotta pipe that provided water for faucets, as well as faucets made of marble, gold, and silver. During Roman times there were already personal baths and lead pipes (1000 BC – 476 AD). Rome’s public baths were already equipped with silver faucets along with gold and marble fixtures.
Since then, public systems have changed, including the faucets. For many decades, faucets had two handles: one for hot water and one for cold water. In 1937, however, this design changed, and this change was started by a college student named Al Moen. One fine day in 1937, he turned the faucet handle to wash his hands, but he scalded them because the water was too hot. This gave him the idea to design a single-lever faucet.
Between 1940 and 1945, he designed various types of faucets: from a double-valve faucet to a cylindrical design, eventually selling his first single-lever mixer faucet in late 1947. By 1959, his design was used in one million homes in the United States. and are sold in around 55 countries around the world. Today, single-handle faucets are popular and can be found in approximately 50% of American homes.
In addition to one-handed faucets, Al Moen also came up with other inventions during his lifetime, including the replaceable cartridge (to eliminate washers on faucets), the push-button shower valve diverter, the screen aerator, the flow control aerator, pressure balancing shower valves and rotary shower head. In addition to Al Moen, Landis Perry was also involved in creating innovative faucet designs. In 1945, he designed his first faucet ball valve that was intended to provide volume and mix control combined with an effective means of sealing the valve elements. This design was patented in 1952 and was first introduced in 1954 by Delta faucets (which purchased the patent beforehand). Four years later, its sales surpassed a whopping $1 million.
Approximately two decades later, Wolvering Brass patented the ceramic water control disc. Unlike rubber-based cartridges, ceramic discs are lapped and polished in such a way that their flatness is only measured in light bands. Ceramic discs tend to last much longer than cartridges as they have a high resistance to wear and can provide more precise control. These discs are widely used today.
The latest faucet innovations include integrated cartridges used to reduce lead, cyst and chlorine levels, integrated pull-out sprinklers, electronic faucets and those designed for the disabled. Electronic faucets were introduced in the early 1980s for hygienic and water conservation purposes, and come with motion-sensing infrared beams. When a person places their hand under the faucet, the infrared beam is interrupted and this interruption causes the water to run. In addition, battery-powered electronic faucets have also been distributed. Surely more developments will come and improve the lives of many homeowners.
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