Is there anything more disappointing than a big gulp of flat soda water? Well, back in the 19th century, before British engineer Hiram Codd invented the Codd-neck bottle, that was pretty much the norm. Filled upside-down, the Codd-neck bottle featured a marble that, as pressure from the gas in the bottle increased, was pushed up against a gasket, thereby sealing in the carbonation. Codd’s ingenious invention would become extremely popular with carbonated beverage makers around the world, and even more popular with kids looking to play a game of marbles, who smashed the bottles to get at the treasure inside. So many bottles were sacrificed in this manner, that today they’re real collector’s items! Read Less