Imagine walking into an old house built in 1907. The floors creak, the walls whisper stories of another era—and tucked away in a corner, you find a strange metal object. Circular. Tiered. Covered in evenly spaced hooks pointing outward like the ribs of some mechanical skeleton.
At first glance, it looks mysterious. Maybe industrial. Possibly even medieval. So what is it?
A Rotating Bottle Drying Rack
What you’re likely looking at is an early 20th-century bottle drying rack, sometimes called a bottle tree or bottle drainer.
Before disposable bottles and modern dishwashers, households reused glass bottles constantly—especially milk bottles, soda bottles, and canning jars. Cleanliness was crucial. After washing, bottles needed to dry completely inside and out before being reused. This metal rack made the process efficient and hygienic.
How It Worked
The design is clever in its simplicity:
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The circular tiers provide multiple levels for drying.
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The short, upward-angled metal prongs hold bottles upside down.
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The open structure allows airflow from all sides.
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Some versions even rotated for easy access.
By placing bottles inverted on the spikes, water drained out naturally while air circulated inside. This prevented mold, contamination, and lingering moisture.
Why It Makes Sense in a 1907 Home
In the early 1900s:
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Milk was delivered daily in reusable glass bottles.
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Home canning was common for preserving fruits and vegetables.
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Sanitization was taken very seriously, especially after the public health movements of the late 19th century.
A sturdy metal drying rack would have been a practical and valuable household tool.
Not Just for Milk
While most people associate these racks with dairy use, they were also handy for:
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