Heater, Water
Object number93.8.1
Manufacturer
Ruud Manufacturing Company
Date1908
MediumCast iron; Porcelain enamel; Copper
Credit LineGift of Brian Tischler
DescriptionInstantaneous water heater. Copper coiled pipes inside cast iron casing. Heater has tripodal base and two sets of spring loaded doors. Intake and output pipes on left side. Brass medallions and porcelain-enamel instruction panels on doors. Decorated in art noveau style.Dimensions54.9999 x 23 in. (139.7 x 58.4 cm)Marks"Ruud Instantaneous Automatic Water Heater" (also many pat. dates). Company logo on back, inscriptions on brass medallions.
Historical NotesThis water heater came from a house on Pioneer Avenue, where it was in use until its removal in December 1992.Label TextAn immigrant from Norway, Edwin Ruud came to Pittsburgh to practice his trade as a mechanical engineer. In 1889, Ruud patented the world’s first automatic storage water heater, changing households everywhere. The cast-iron device used an internal copper coil to automatically and conveniently heat water. This model contains a honorary seal that reads “Awarded by the Franklin Institute to Edwin Ruud for his Automatic Water Heater, 1904.”
Related institution
Rheem Manufacturing Company
Terms
On View
On view
1987
1987
c. 1987
c. 1987
