Gurgling water jugs were invented in the late 1870s by the British company Thomas Forester & Sons. However, most people associate these jugs with the British "Dartmouth Pottery", which first gave the jug its fish-shaped design. A special pair of water jugs was made for the English Queen and Prince Philip in 1958 and presented to them during their visit to Britannia Naval College. The then head of the college commissioned the making of the jugs and provided them with the royal seal and date. Through this gift, the water jug became popular and a collector's item.
Since then, the jugs have been a popular iconic piece of British design bringing joy to households all over the world. Towards the end of the 1980's, WADE CERAMICS bought the reproduction rights and IP from Dartmouth Potteries.
In 2023, Wade went into administration. The GLUGGLE JUG FACTORY acquired the physical assets of the Gluggle Jug business, reopened the factory and rehired the co workers shortly after Wade's closure. Now the Gluggle Jug Factory produces the legendary original Gluggle Jugs using the exact same techniques.