History Loves Water

It’s hot as hell outside and so it feels like the right time to talk about another hot era in our past.

Let’s take a deep dive into the Roaring 20s at Lamy’s. It was more than just frivolous women in flapper dresses, saxophones belting out jazzy tunes, and smokey bars, though, we will get to that. We are talking about the roar of our massive furnace operated by steam to power the lady’s sewing machines on the second floor. Can we pause for a moment and talk about how hot you think it had to be working upstairs back when AC wasn’t invented and you’re using STEAM to operate your business?? Not all of life’s technological advances have been bad ones, my friends.

But, back to the history…

While electricity had been invented (God bless, Thomas Edison), the cost of its use was only for the top of the first-class pyramid, and suffice it to say, that didn’t include us.

With over 200 sewing machines needing to be operated, cost-effectiveness had to be weighed then just as it does now. This means that good old-fashioned H20 (or as we common folk like to call it–water) was used to power up the furnace. Water was turned into steam, powered by coal that was brought in straight off the railroad, conveniently located right outside the Lamy walls. We’ve since moved the face of the furnace to be displayed in our No. 5 Bistro and Bar dining area. It’s a special reminder of how not that long ago, the world operated entirely differently than it does now.

But, next time you put on a pair of jeans or eat a fabulous dinner inside these walls, remember how we got here. Take time to think about the complimentary water you’re served almost everywhere you go to sit down to a meal. It wasn’t that long ago that water was used to operate and not just hydrate. We’ve come a long way in a short time period.

While you’re at it, bring a couple of friends to share a glass of bubbly (water or prosecco). After all, history loves company.