A Brief History Of The Microwaveable Hot Water Bottle

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The traditional hot water bottle can be traced back to the 16th century, emerging from a time when hot stones from a dying fire were used to warm the feet of villagers living in unheated abodes. Early models were designed out of copper, glass, earthenware, or sometimes even wood, and were much safer and easier to use. When the first version made of rubber was patented in 1903, the market was flooded with rubber and later PVC versions that were easy to use and store. It was widely accepted that the hot water bottle had been perfected. Then the microwave was invented.

With the introduction and subsequent widespread availability of microwaves, it was only a matter of time before a microwave bottle version of the water-filled rubber hot water bottle would emerge. Unable to create a traditional version that could be microwaved safely while filled with water, inventors came up with alternatives that worked just as well, while offering features traditional models didn't have. Since the new microwave bottles don't actually use water, they are commonly referred to as "hotties," or simply as a microwave bottle.

Improving upon a time-tested model, microwave bottles were designed specifically for the microwave using both ancient and modern materials. Typically made of a flannel or heat-resistant outer cloth, these bags can be filled with beans, grains, wheat, or even synthetic gels that can be safely heated in a microwave and that give off radiant heat for a long period of time. Many of the microwave bottles stay warmer for longer than traditional hot water bottles. Others can be placed directly on the skin or can withstand pressure, making them safe for sleeping.

Unlike their water filled counterparts, microwave bottles come in a variety of shapes to suit different uses. They are also pliable in ways that water-filled bottles are not, so they can be moulded to fit the user's needs. Microwave bottles are often used with injuries, as they can be placed directly onto an affected area. Heat helps with muscle and joint pain, and microwave bottles can be safely used on areas where pressure may be placed on the heating device, such as the lower back, something that is unsafe when using a traditional hot water bottle.

As microwave bottles grew in popularity, manufacturers began producing ones designed for even more varied uses. Some microwave bottles are infused with essential oils, adding aromatherapy benefits in addition to heat therapy. Others are made of gels that can be both placed in the microwave and frozen, so that one product offers the double benefit of both heat and cold-therapy. There are microwave bottles designed specifically for neck, lower back, or other types of pain and stiffness, as well as larger pillow-type ones for general heating or pain relief.

All that versatility has led to a huge increase in sales of microwave bottles, to the point where they are now more popular than traditional hot water bottles. Available in a variety of colours, shapes, and sizes, there is a microwave bottle available to suit any heating need. 
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