Views: 26 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2023-02-10 Origin: Site
We all know that valves are present in our everyday lives, but valves work a lot “behind the scenes”—controlling what might seem like the “uncontrollable”. Without valves, we would have engineering issues on how to regulate and control steam, water, air, corrosive liquids, gases and other materials. You can already see WHY valves are important, but WHERE did valves originate, you ask? Good question…
Maybe ancient man watched the beaver as he built his dam across the river. In ancient times, man used tree trunks, thick grasses, rocks, boulders and branches to regulate water. The Egyptians and Greeks also designed valves to lead water to irrigate their crops and provide water to their villages. However, the Romans were the ones to truly develop their canal systems and had a higher engineered technology behind those systems. Due to various country invasions, one may be led to believe that the Romans stole some of their technologies that they utilized. Either way, the Romans took their technology findings on to further develop the bronze plug valve which enabled them to distribute water to buildings.
It was not until the Industrial Revolution that valves really evolved to the next level. Steam was the power required to reform and strengthen this era and replaced muscle or “horse” power. valves along with the patented steam engine made it possible to pump water out of mines. During this time, the US was able to increasingly provide mining jobs to those out of work. Mining, agriculture, textile mills, manufacturing plants, steel production, transportation and many other industries were emerging quickly. The economy exhibited unprecedented growth and life was getting better financially for most. Water and steam along with the evolution of the valve, contributed highly to the success of the Industrial Revolution industries.
Since man has begun creating cities and cultivating crops for farming, there has been a need to control the flow of water. Even prior to the first actual pipe systems (the aqueducts), men and women would regulate the flow of water using branches, tree trunks and stones. However, the Romans were the first ones to create anything resembling a formal canal system—and are thus credited with creating the valves.
The first valves were made of a bronze material. They were very strong and designed for welding to the pipes already in place. These pipes were also bronze, or sometimes lead. The first valves were very simple in design, but effective. The body of the valve included a plug with a hole, a bottom support and a long levy for turning the plug. Many of these valves have been found throughout the Mediterranean region. These artifacts show the smart thinking that our Roman ancestors put into creating the water systems they used in these “modern” ancient towns.
Valves were also used in mid to upper class homes during these times too. An extremely primitive form of the diaphragm valve would allow for control of bathwater. The Romans could control not only the flow into the tub, but also the mixing of warm and cool water. Evidence also exists that there were early forms of check or backflow valves in existence. This would help to keep wastewater from mixing with the clean water supplies for the town. Around the same time, the first form of the butterfly valve is believed to have been created in or around Augusta—based on artifacts.
old-photo-of-valvesThe middle ages did not have much advancement in valves and water control, but the renaissance period would change everything that humans knew. Canals, irrigation systems and hydraulics all advanced greatly during this period of growth and change. Leonardo DaVinci was credited with a number of new designs and improvements to the old standards. His sketches included many great examples of renaissance-era valves.