Can you still imagine the aroma of warm bread filling the kitchen? The sound of glass clinking in the sink? The steady hum of a busy household preparing meals? For many, these vivid memories belong to a grandparent’s home — a place where every item seems to carry a story. Among these often-overlooked relics is the vintage bottle drying rack.
A Kitchen Essential of the Early 20th Century
The kitchen has always been the heart of the home, a hub for cooking, learning, and family connection. In the early 1900s, everyone in the household had a role to play, and certain tools were indispensable. One such tool was the bottle drying rack, sometimes called a herisson in French, or simply referred to as a “bottle tree.”
These racks were used to dry glass bottles, which were a daily necessity long before plastic containers became widespread.
Origins and Ingenious Design
By the late 19th century, bottle drying racks had become common fixtures in homes across Europe and America. Constructed with sturdy metal frames and equipped with multiple hooks, they allowed bottles to be hung upside down. This simple yet clever design ensured that water could drain freely and air could circulate inside each bottle, leaving them completely dry and ready for reuse.