Hot tubs and public baths have a longstanding cultural tradition of being places to socialize, relax, and improve health. From Egypt and Babylon to Rome and Greece, bathing has always been seen as an integral part of the culture.
Bathing was a common healing practice in the Roman empire, as people sought solace from wounds and ailments by bathing. The Romans took such delight in these natural hot springs that they built elaborate spas around them.
The Jacuzzi Family
Today, Jacuzzi is widely associated with luxurious whirlpool baths. But that’s only part of the story.
The family’s success wasn’t achieved lightly; it began with a devastating family tragedy.
Rachele Jacuzzi, the oldest child born to Giovanni and Teresa Jacuzzi, grew up in an Italian village with limited resources. To make ends meet she worked multiple jobs such as telegraph operator and bricklayer.
She then earned a degree in aeronautics from the University of California at Berkeley and later worked for McDonnell Douglas, designing an innovative aircraft propeller.
When her son Kenneth, then 15 months old, developed rheumatoid arthritis, the Jacuzzis devised a clever solution: they used an agricultural pump to aerate hydrotherapy water for therapeutic use in an ordinary bathtub.
This concept proved popular with viewers of the 1950s television show Queen for a Day, which offered Jacuzzi tubs as prizes to those with inspirational stories.
Japanese Hot Springs
Japanese Hot Springs are renowned for their rejuvenating effects on the body, encouraging relaxation and circulation. They have been said to reduce stress, promote sleep, lower blood pressure and beautify skin.
Japan’s hot springs are an integral part of its culture and tourism industry, drawing in both tourists and locals alike.
On the Japanese archipelago, there are more than 3,000 registered hot spring areas, many of which lie along volcanic belts. These waters typically reach temperatures above 25degC and contain certain minerals and other elements which have been declared therapeutic by law.
When visiting public baths, there is a certain cultural etiquette that must be observed. The first rule is never to use soap or shampoo inside the shared tub.
Early Hot Tubs
Early humans relied on natural hot springs for healing, purifying and worship. But the ancient Roman Empire took bathing to a whole new level by institutionalizing it into their temple rituals.
After WWII, American troops brought Japan’s Onsen bathing culture and wooden ofuro tubs back to America, inspiring vineyard workers and migrant “flower children” to build homemade wood-fired hot tubs in the 1960s. Unfortunately, these tubs had poor filtration systems which left them full of bacteria, algae and mould growth.
After the late 1960s, Len Gordon invented fibreglass tubs which addressed some of these issues; however, these didn’t last long and stained easily. With these improvements came the gel-coat fibreglass shell of the first spas that appeared around 1970 – easier to clean and need less maintenance – ushering in a new era for spas which quickly overcame their bad reputation from the ’70s and ’80s. Their popularity still endures today despite their growing reputation from then on out as popular recreational tools.
Modern Hot Tubs
Looking for more modern hot tubs after knowing the history and culture a little more? Aqua Warehouse is the UK’s largest indoor Hot Tub & Swim Spa showroom. With a team of experts, Aqua Warehouse guarantees quality products and services to its customers. From sales to repairs, Aqua Warehouse makes sure that its customers have a positive experience every time they visit the store. The fun, relaxed atmosphere makes it easy for shoppers to find what they are looking for and feel confident in their purchase.
