Showering is a luxury we often take for granted, but showers as we know them are a recent phenomenon in human history. Before running water, people had to come up with a variety of ways to bathe and stay clean. Here we will cover a brief history of the shower and how it came to be the invention we all use today.
The Shower Before the Shower
Our ancient ancestors were unable to reap the benefits of modern plumbing, so they had to make do with what nature provided.
Lakes, rivers, ponds, or even hot springs provided early baths, and waterfalls could be used as rudimentary showers.1
The Ancient Egyptians bathed daily, and every household had a form of basin and jug for washing.2 Water could be heated over a
fire and then poured over the person from a jug by the bather or an attendant.
The Greeks continued this practice and invented drainage systems with lead piping, which made bathing an even easier experience.
3 Personal bathing tubs gradually expanded to bathhouses, which the Romans took and expanded upon.
The Romans developed sewer systems and underfloor heating by running hot water through pipes beneath the floor,
and they took advantage of natural hot springs in areas like Bath to develop vast communal bathhouses.
In some areas of the world during the Medieval period, steam baths became commonly taken. This practice was common in
Mesoamerica, the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, and Japan.4 Despite the misconception that those in the
Medieval era were dirty and unclean, in many places bathing continued to be seen as a vital aspect of daily living.5
Who Invented the Modern Shower?
It wasn’t until 1767 that we began to see a shower like our own, when William Feetham patented the first mechanical shower.6 It was operated by a
handpump that pushed water into a basin above the user’s head, and then the user could pull a chain to release the water. However, without plumbing,
it recycled the dirty water around, making it a less-than-ideal option.
In 1810, an anonymous creator invented the English Regency shower, which stood over 10ft tall and was constructed with metal pipes
painted to look like bamboo. 7 This also used a handpump, but instead of pulling a chain, the water was filtered through a
nozzle to spray over the user. Indoor plumbing was also invented around this time, which meant clean running water could be used to shower.
When Were Hot Showers Invented?
Showers didn’t become fully integrated into domestic life until the 1960s, when tankless heaters were invented, providing instant hot water.
From that point onward, showers became very popular, until they were an expected feature of modern homes. Today, over 90% of homes include a shower,
and with such a wide range of shower designs to choose from – varying materials, colours, jets, lights, enclosures and more,
many of us can’t imagine ever having to go back to using heated water and a jug. 8
To learn more about showers and the various types available,contact us.
Sources:
1 Butler, Lee. “‘ashing off the Dust’: Baths and Bathing in Late Medieval Japan.” Monumenta Nipponica 60, no. 1 (2005): 1–41.
2 Mark, Joshua J.. "Cosmetics, Perfume, & Hygiene in Ancient Egypt." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified May 04, 2017.
3 Cook, J. M. “Bath-Tubs in Ancient Greece.” Greece & Rome 6, no. 1 (1959): 31–41.
4 Walsh, Casey. “Bathing and Domination in the Early Modern Atlantic World.” In Virtuous Waters: Mineral Springs, Bathing, and Infrastructure in Mexico, 1st ed., 15–33. University of California Press, 2018.
5 Caskey, Jill. “Steam and ‘Sanitas’ in the Domestic Realm: Baths and Bathing in Southern Italy in the Middle Ages.” Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians 58, no. 2 (1999): 170–95.
6 Wikipedia contributors, "Shower," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
7 History of Plumbing timeline.
8 UK Shower Market – Insight from the Expert.