A Ginger Ale Tale

 

This conceptual art piece was inspired by my uncle, Doc, who unknowingly taught me the difference between a modern consumer and consumer from the past, but that story is for another time and can be found in my book, “Modern Fossils.”

This story focuses on, Ginger ale.  Some say it’s an Irish drink, others say it’s English.  Regardless of its origin they made a lot of it in Ireland and the British scattered these Irish ginger ale bottles around the world.  Ginger ale was packaged and sold in elongated bottles with round bottoms, to insure they were stored and shipped lying down.

I’ve heard different speculations as to the reason for the round-bottom bottles, the best being, “They were made during the Civil War and insured they didn’t tip-over and break due to cannon fire.” I know, that story sounds really great, but the truth is the design of the round bottom bottle is a reflection of the enclosure system and the need for the cork to stay wet, so that the enclosure will stay secure.

It’s said that bottles like my round bottom, “Belfast,” bottle were used for more than ginger ale, they were used as ballast.  During the British Empire, empty British ships sailing from British ports put weight in the hull of their ships for stability and then dumped it at foreign ports prior to loading their cargo.  Years of dumping and loading has resulted in Irish round bottom ginger ale bottles being found in different countries around the world.