The History of Showers

The history of showers began with native people bathing under existing waterfalls. This was much more efficient than carrying fresh water to a container of some kind for bathing, then carrying the waste water away.

Some peoples in the history of showers would pour containers of water over themselves after washing to rinse off. This often involved cold water and likely was something that took a lot of getting used to.

Early Egyptians and Mesopotamians of the upper classes had private shower rooms where servants would bathe them. Even in these instances, water was carried into the rooms and not pumped in.

In the history of showers, the early Greeks were the first to have what would be considered actual showers. Their water systems allowed for pumping of water into and away from large communal showers used by all classes of people.

The first mechanical shower in the history of showers was both progress and not a great deal of improvement. A hand pump forced water into a container above the person’s head. Then a chain could be pulled, releasing water down onto the person. Unfortunately, there was no system for heating the water, so only cold water was used. Also unfortunately, the same water was re-circulated through each time.

The history of showers showed some improvement in showers around 1850 when a reliable flow of fresh water became available. In the 1870s, more modern showers were installed in the barracks of the French army.

Around the same time, a French prison installed showers for the prisoners, including hot water. This could have been the first time in the history of showers that hot water was available for showers.

Before long, other facilities in France were using showers as well.

The mid-nineteenth century saw middle class homes having rooms set aside as bath rooms. The history of showers saw another great leap forward with the invention of the water heater, first in 1868 as gas powered, then in 1889 as electric powered.

Today, the history of showers shows nearly every home with a separate bath room with shower.

Whether you shower or bathe in a tub or both in your home, when you need a replacement for a shower door, call FEDERAL GLASS AND MIRROR at 508-872-3563. Mike and John Purpura have a long family history of excellence in many types of glass replacement and installation.