The history of the bathroom may not seem like the most interesting topic, however for those planning to renovate their homes, knowing a little bit about the history of the bathroom, and how it’s developed over the centuries can help you choose the right type of furniture to suit your chosen décor.
History of the Bathtub
The first iteration of toilets was nothing more than a hole in the ground, and it would take centuries before this design would change for the better. The first bathtubs however, almost got it right first time and have remained largely unchanged to this day.
The earliest bathtub on record dates back to 3000 B.C., with the oldest surviving bathtub being from the Palace of Knossos in Create. Over the centuries the Ancient Greeks, Romans, The Russian, Turkish and Japanese would all pioneer their own style of public baths; concepts that are still widely in use today worldwide.
The popularization of the bathtub as we known it today is accredited to Jacob Delafon of Paris who produced the first commercial tubs from the 1850’s to 1900’s. These designs are still available and extremely sought after and a prize piece for any traditional bathroom.
History of the Shower
Although many believe the shower is a more recent invention that the toilet and bathtub, the first showers on record were actually built by the Ancient Greeks. These were no ordinary showers either as they featured plumbed-in water courtesy of revolutionary aqueducts designed by the Greeks.
Like the flush toilet, the modern day shower took a few years to catch on. The first mechanical versions were developed in England by William Feetham in 1767, and became the predecessors to the showers installed in people’s homes today.
Inventor of the Flush Toilet
So who actually invented the flush toilet? Well this piece of trivia from history is rather interesting, and is certainly not as straightforward as most people would believe.
Contrary to popular belief, Robert Crapper was not responsible for the invention of the toilet in the 1800’s, he was however one of the first British pioneers of the flush toilet and the toilet seat, which lent his name to the rather unfortunately slang term often associated with all things bad.
In fact the first flush toilets can be traced back the 1560’s when Sir John Harrington published papers describing the first predecessor to the modern toilet, which he had installed in his house.
Unfortunately the design was shunned by important figures such as Queen Elizabeth 1 for being too noisy, and expensive, and as a result, it failed to catch on with the general public.
It wasn’t until 1775 when Alexander Cummings developed the S bend design that the world would begin to accept the flush toilet as a standard piece of sanitary ware that should be installed every house. And even then, it wasn’t until the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century that the S bend flush toilet would really catch on.
Nowadays many toilet designs have adopted a modern appearance with minimalist lines and stylish shapes, however it’s still possible to find traditional models for vintage enthusiasts who wish to present an air of elegance in the bathroom that’s timeless.
When it comes to renovating your own bathroom, understand how the bathroom progressed through history can really help you choose the right furniture and décor for your desired look, especially if you’re in search of a classic appearance.
If you’re looking for contemporary pieces that have a traditional appearance, then you’ll find lots of great options and even some that are more luxurious at The Bathrooms and More Store.
So no matter what your budget, if you like the idea of having a traditional looking bathroom, then you should be able to find something suitable online.
