Today in 1899, US Patent 619133 A was issued, an invention of Richard F. Burke, for his “Bung and Tap for Barrels.” There’s no Abstract, but according to the description, he’s “invented certain ‘new and useful Improvements in Bungs and Taps for Barrels, of which the following is aspecication, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and letters of reference marked thereon. He continues. “My invention relates to devices adapted to be employed in barrels containing liquids, whether under pressure or otherwise, whereby they may be readily tapped and as readily closed.”

The object of my invention is to produce a device a portion of which may remain permanently in a barrel or cask, the same being so constructed that by the introduction of a key-like faucet an inner core can be turned in a manner to permit the free discharge of the contents and the introduction of air into the cask. Said discharge is effected through a special device for the purpose which will be comparatively inexpensive in cost of manufacture, convenient to adjust, easy to manipulate, and at the same time to provide a secure and tight connection.