A Bubbler...

is a drinking fountain. Weird name, I know, but that's what we call it. Not sure if it's just a midwest term or what, but there you have it.

Bubbler

Bubbler is a trademarked name that refers to a drinking fountain.

History of device

The Bubbler was developed in 1888 by the then-small Kohler Water Works (now Kohler Company) in Kohler, Wisconsin, which was already well-known for its faucet production. While Harlan Huckleby is credited with the actual design, it was Kohler that patented it and trademarked the name. The original Bubbler shot water one inch straight into the air, creating a bubbling texture, and the excess water ran back down over the sides of the nozzle. It was several years later before the bubbler adapted the arc projection, which allowed the drinker to partake more easily.

The Bubbler concept took off and there were many copies. Since the name was trademarked, other companies named their fountains "The Gurgler" and "The Gusher". In the end, the generic term "drinking fountain" became the standard term used in American English for a device that shoots water into the air for purpose of drinking.

Current usage of term

The term is still used in several regional dialects of the United States, originating in eastern Wisconsin. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan, states in New England, as well as Australia also use the term. Oregon is also known to be quite familiar with the term, specifically in the Portland region where in the late 1800s Simon Benson installed 20 fountains which are now known in the Portland area as "Benson Bubblers".

The Kohler bubbler today.

And interesting, Kohler is about five minutes from where I live. :-)