HISTORY OF SPAS AND HOT TUBS
The oldest known spa (mineral bath) still in existence is in Merano Italy where there is evidence of organized use of the spring dating back 5000 years ago.
It is thought that the Egyptians used baths for therapeutic purpose as early as 2000 B.C... The earliest forms of hot tubs were simply a caldera in which sizzling stones had been placed to heat the water.
The Greeks:
Mineral and thermal baths showed up later in history around 500 B.C in Greece. The early Greek Baths were built near natural hot springs or volcanoes. Greek celebrities and the elite would meet at these natural hot springs to exchange philosophical views and treat physical ailments. Hippocrates (460-375 B.C.), believed to be the founder of medicine, recommended hydrotherapy for the treatment of disorders such as jaundice and rheumatism.
The Romans:
The Romans also enjoyed the mineral water, but the ancient Roman baths were more recreational areas used by hundreds of citizens at a time as opposed personal hygiene and hydrotherapy. Stone bath tubs were serviced by elaborate aqueduct system carrying mineral waters throughout complex private rooms, steam rooms and public baths. The largest of all Roman baths was the Diocletian. It was completed in A.D. 305 and covered an area 130,000 sq. yards.
Romans would first go to the unctuarium where they had oil rubbed onto their skin. Next they would move to the tepidarium or warm room where they would lie around chatting. From there, it was on to the hot and steamy caldarium, similar to a Turkish bath. Here they sat and perspired, scraping their skin with a curved metal tool. After a dip in the caldarium (hot bath) they would take a quick dip in the frighidarium (cold bath).
The Spa:
Once part of the Roman Empire (now east of Belgium), the town of Spa is where the word "Spa" (originally Hungarian) became a generic expression referring to natural springs and surrounding areas where people came to relax and take "The Cure".
The British:
The Water of Bath, England were used for healing purposes from about 800 B.C. and the British royalty continued to use the waters well into the 20th century. Around 1589 according to historians, Queen Elizabeth I insisted on bathing at least once amonth, "whether she needed it or not". Five baths were established within the town including the King's Bath and Cross Bath which became a popular spa with lepers and rheumatics.
The Japanese:
A family custom for centuries in Japan is the "ofuro" or hot water bathing in freestanding wooden tubs. Occupational force brought the knowledge of this custom back home with them after World War II.
The United States
Native Americans enjoyed the health of natural springs even before European settlers arrived. In many instances, these natural springs were used for magical and religious purposes as well as hygienic. One of the oldest spas in North American colonies is believed to have been in Berkeley springs (later known as Warm Springs) of West Virginia.
One of the most popular of the early colonial springs for hydrotherapy was Saratoga Springs in New York. It was carefully guarded by settlers until 1767, when according to legend; Iroquois people helped Sir William Johnson recover from illness by recommending the "medicine springof the Great Spirit". Johnson attracted more visitors seeking remedies from illness with his tales of recovery including George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and General Philip Schuyler.
The post-revolutionary "floating swimming bath" or "swimming cribs" was introduced in 1791 in Philadelphia PA. These water therapy inventions of canvas and wood were staked into a river or lake bottom and sometimes tethered to the shore.
In 1915, the general public became aware of pools and spa as a way of life when Francis X. Bushman installed the first one in Hollywood.
As a footnote to the history of the hot tub and water therapy, Franklin D. Roosevelt received therapeutic baths and muscle treatments for his dibilitating pain of polio during his administration from 1933-1945 He made Warm Spring,Co., his "little White House" and didicated the treatment facility to others with disabilities.
The Emergence of the Hot Tub:
The first wooden hot tubs began to appear in the 1960's in California. Inspired by the Japanese ofuro, these early prototypes were still made from oak barrals, wine tanks and olive vats. Redwood hot tubs then began to appear, but often leaked and were difficult to keep clean.
The Jacuzzi:
In 1954, an Italian family of seven brothers lead by Joseph developed and patented a portable whirlpool pump out of necessity for an ailing relative suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The pump was later refined and coupled with jets using an air injection system that produced a froth of bubbles. This air-water mixture proved to be highly therapeutic and this invention spawned an industry that made Jacuzzi a household name.
The rest is, shall we say, "history".
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