History of the Spittoon in Detail
A spittoon or spitoon is a container for spitting into specifically for people who dip and chew tobacco. It is also called a spitter most of the time. A spittoon can be considered also a can or any old beverage that is now used to hold spit. It all started in the U.S. back in the 19th century where spittoons took on the country in a hurry becoming common almost anywhere which includes bars, pubs, hotels, stores, banks, railway carriages, brothels and anywhere else where people, mostly men, gathered together.
The old antique spittoons you see are almost all made out of brass and are still in use today. There were spittoons made out of other materials as well which included iron, glass and porcelain. They were seen in low places and places of the wealthy where they were much more decorated.
Specialized spittoons (non-tin cans) are weighted so they will be more difficult to tip over and even have what is called an?inner lip? that will help prevent spilling even if it does tip over. Some of them even had lids or a hole that was plugged and released the liquid. This made it much easier when draining.
When it came to spittoons they were actually created for better health environments where people used to spit on floors of establishments and on sidewalks where non-spitters walked. A place where you can see a large amount of antique spittoons in one area is at Duke Homestead State Historic Site in Durham, North Carolina. Back in 2008 they actually added 282 spittoons bringing their total to around 400 claiming to be the largest collection in the world.
Now in the 21st century spittoons are of course still made, but you won?t find them in any public places at least not in to many. The one area where you do find them is for wine tasters of all things. When a wine taster takes a sample of a wine they will spit out to avoid over intoxication or for the most part the wine didn?t taste very well.
Of all places to find a spittoon is at the United States Supreme Court where each one of the Justices has one next to her or his chair in the courtroom. Of course they don?t actually chew tobacco and spit into them they are used for wastebaskets. The last time they were used for actual tobacco was back in the early 20th century. Even the U.S. Senate has them spread out in the Senate Chamber because by many it is just considered a Senate Tradition.
Today spittoons and spittoon accessories have come a long way. You have the new breed which is the mud jug. It is made to be spill proof, decorative, perfect handle, portable, durable and easy cleaning. This item is made for people who just don?t want to spit in a can or put a paper towel in a cup like that. Now if you still want to spit in a can there are options to make this much easier which includes a diptop. This is a snap-on spittoon that goes on most any beverage can sold in the USA.
The old antique spittoons you see are almost all made out of brass and are still in use today. There were spittoons made out of other materials as well which included iron, glass and porcelain. They were seen in low places and places of the wealthy where they were much more decorated.
Specialized spittoons (non-tin cans) are weighted so they will be more difficult to tip over and even have what is called an?inner lip? that will help prevent spilling even if it does tip over. Some of them even had lids or a hole that was plugged and released the liquid. This made it much easier when draining.
When it came to spittoons they were actually created for better health environments where people used to spit on floors of establishments and on sidewalks where non-spitters walked. A place where you can see a large amount of antique spittoons in one area is at Duke Homestead State Historic Site in Durham, North Carolina. Back in 2008 they actually added 282 spittoons bringing their total to around 400 claiming to be the largest collection in the world.
Now in the 21st century spittoons are of course still made, but you won?t find them in any public places at least not in to many. The one area where you do find them is for wine tasters of all things. When a wine taster takes a sample of a wine they will spit out to avoid over intoxication or for the most part the wine didn?t taste very well.
Of all places to find a spittoon is at the United States Supreme Court where each one of the Justices has one next to her or his chair in the courtroom. Of course they don?t actually chew tobacco and spit into them they are used for wastebaskets. The last time they were used for actual tobacco was back in the early 20th century. Even the U.S. Senate has them spread out in the Senate Chamber because by many it is just considered a Senate Tradition.
Today spittoons and spittoon accessories have come a long way. You have the new breed which is the mud jug. It is made to be spill proof, decorative, perfect handle, portable, durable and easy cleaning. This item is made for people who just don?t want to spit in a can or put a paper towel in a cup like that. Now if you still want to spit in a can there are options to make this much easier which includes a diptop. This is a snap-on spittoon that goes on most any beverage can sold in the USA.