After exploring the kettle from so many angles and getting lost in so much information, it is time to make sense of this "kettle of fish" and conclude. This artifact has been used by ancient civilizations in order to heat and make the water suitable for drinking, such a basic necessity for human beings.
The word kettle evolved from the Old english cetel, to the Middle english chetel, which relates to the German Kessel. The same has probably happened with other like languages, as it can be deduced from the various ways to say kettle, for example the French and the Italian... Bouilloire and bollitore.
It has been so handy throughout history that myths have developed around it, turning it into a naughty magical creature that brings good fortune to whomever treats it well... Could good fortune be an analogy for good health and water the magical being that inhabits it, flows freely and needs to be treated well? Maybe not at the time, but myths are timeless and something can be learned from them no matter the time in history in which they're analyzed.
It has been used to teach lessons from everyday life, as in the old English sayings, but also to highlight feelings in songs. To contrast or associate something so ordinary, normal and quotidian as a kettle boiling and whistling, with the turmoil of a troubled mind or to put children to sleep while learning about the use and parts of this old artifact which they are probably going to use someday.
The kettle also tells a story through its materials, for it has evolved aiming for environment friendly materials. Starting from cast iron, passing through copper, aluminium, stainless steel, to heat resistant plastics such as polypropylene, which it's production process has been explained in the blog. The design of the kettle has also evolved alongside its materials because they become easier to mold as time goes by, making it easier to play with the aesthetics. Time has also given way to innovations such as the electrical kettle. These various evolutions can be traced through the patents.
From all these reflections it can be concluded that kettles are a very useful tool that has accompanied man everyday, throughout time and that it doesn't matter if it's used to boil water or as a pot for plants, it will keep being a part of our lives, for it seems that we can even find it strolling casually in the street...
