Soda was patented in the United States in 1809. It created
bubbles by mixing water, bicarbonate of soda and an acid to make
what was called "soda water."
The word "pop" was
added in the mid-nineteenth century and supposedly reflects the
popping sound that is made when a carbonated beverage is opened.
The original sparkling waters were naturally bubbly spring
waters. The most notable of these may be Seltzer water from
Germany. Generic carbonated water, particularly the kind made at
home with what is now referred to as a soda siphon, became
commonly known as Seltzer even though it had no connection to
the German origins.
Inventors from several countries tried to imitate natural
sparkling waters by adding bubbles to still water. Various
techniques were invented using different chemical and mechanical
methods.
Since then, the simpler technique of combining water with
pressurized carbon dioxide gas has come to predominate the
commercial market. Despite the fact that sodium bicarbonate is
no longer used in their manufacture, the term "soda" has
remained attached to the name for drinks made from carbonated
water.