Slavoljub Eduard Penkala
Slavoljub Eduard Penkala (April 20, 1871 – February 5, 1922) was an engineer and inventor from Croatia. Educated at the University of Vienna and the Technische Universität Dresden, he earned a doctorate in organic chemistry. Among many other things, Penkala developed the mechanical pencil and the first solid-ink fountain pen. He and Edmund Moster founded a pen and pencil factory still in existence and called TOZ-Penkala. Penkala’s first patented invention was the hot water bottle, a personal favorite of mine.
A hot water bottle is a container filled with hot water and sealed with a stopper, used to provide warmth, typically whilst in bed, but also for the application of heat to a specific part of the body.
Called “hotties” in New Zealand, hot water bottles come in many different shapes and sizes and with all kinds of fashionable covers. You can keep all that. On days like today with temperatures in the lower 4os and snow forecast, the old-fashioned rubber hot water bottle is one of life’s little luxuries I wouldn’t want to do without.
Ironically, Penkala died in Zagreb at the age of 51, after catching pneumonia on a business trip. He should have invented a travel version of his hot water bottle.
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Great post! This one brings back memories. I was looking for a hot water bottle a few months ago, just to have one on hand (I couldn’t find one). I grew up with them and my mother used to use one when she had a headache. She would heat water in a tea kettle and pour it in the bottle.
The current governor of California used to blow one up until it exploded to demonstrate his lung capacity and stregth when he was a body builder. Silly Austrian.
Hot water bottles just have to be one of the best inventions ever. I love mine – all of them!
The traditional rubber ones without fancy covers are also my favourites. I can never see the point in having a cover as they only restrict the warmth.
Where did you find a hot water bottle, Leslie? Online? In a store? I can’t find one and I want the traditional one made of rubber.
I live in the UK where traditional rubber hot water bottles are still very popular and are widely available in all pharmacies and most good hardware stores. I wouldn’t be without mine and have several in stock. I was brought up with them and don’t like any of the modern alternatives. There’s something very comforting about the feel and smell of nice warm rubber hot water bottle. Hope you manage to get hold of one soon. I’m sure thet must be available online.
The good ole hot water bottle!!! I have used one alot as an adult and was sad when mine became unusable. Why I didn’t get another one I don’t know. I can remember as a kid laying on it when I had an earache.
If, by the time we get back to Germany, there remains a shortage of hot water bottles in the U.S., I will make sure everyone who wants one gets one. And the old fashioned rubber model is definitely the way to go.