Starsky's cool water cooler

[mortmere]

Matsir mentioned that Starsky's kitchen curtain cave painting reminded her of the paintwork on the water bottle holder in that same kitchen. 

I'm not familiar with the culture or the history of water coolers at all. Seeing them in this show was something of a surprise: "Oh, they had those big water bottles even back in the 70s! Funny to have one in one's house, too. And isn't it nice those things came in different colors and fun decorations, like the yellow and red chicken one Starsky has." 

Now, Matsir brought it to my attention that the thing was most likely repainted, and yeah, so it must be. A quick Google search happened to bring up what I think is the exact model of water cooler Starsky had, in it's original boring, pristine white paint. So, whoever did the customized chicken paintwork - another fun mystery there: Starsky himself? Merle the Earl, the customizing pearl? - they did great work! The quirky illustration is a perfect match for the rest of the Starsky household.




I've developed a serious nostalgia for ordinary 70s stuff like this. I went wobbly in the knees and kind of light-headed thinking about this water cooler. I'm longing to touch and smell the things and surfaces in the boys' apartments. Well, wouldn't mind touching and smelling the boys themselves. :) 

Comments

[pebblerocker]

I really wouldn't have thought those coolers went back as far as the 70s!

[matsir]

I've seen variations of these in silent movies, so at least as old as 1920s. I don't think they actually chilled the water, but they let a workplace have clean drinking water and sanitary disposable paper cups close at hand.

[mortmere]

Looks like they go even further back - most sources say the first one was invented in 1906, but even in the 19th century there were ice-cooled water dispensers. Apparently germs like typhoid love room-temperature water, so chilling it was a hygiene thing, too.

[esteefee]

holy sheet that's so cool. I bet Hutch did it, actually. He's such a flower child. :D

[mortmere]

Hutch never occurred to me! But you might be right!