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We wash our pets in them, we wash our fine linens in them, our children play in them, we occasionally hold toy boat races in them, we blow bubbles in them, we relax in them, and- oh yes- we also BATHE in them! Bathtubs are a huge part of our lives, and an essential object in America's homes: here's a little bit about their long history. Did you know that evidence has been found of the existence of indoor copper water plumbing as far back as 3300 BC? Even people living in the primitive Indus River Valley culture knew that bathing is much more convenient done indoors than outdoors, if at all possible. A personal bathtub made from clay was unearthed on the island of Crete, and dates from an early time as well. But it was the Romans who really taught the world how to bathe in style during the time of the Empire! All citizens, not just the elite class, bathed daily in large public baths. The rich and privileged had their own private rooms for bathing, and the tubs closely resembled miniature versions of today's shallow indoor swimming pools. No luxury was spared in creating these fancy bathing venues: the Romans used marble for the tub itself as well as bronze and lead for the pipes. Bathing was truly a social occasion during the Roman Empire: the people may have been barbaric in some ways, but they sure saw the value in keeping clean and smelling sweet. Unfortunately, the Renaissance may have brought a renewed interest in the arts and sciences but it definitely did not bring a renewed interest in personal hygiene. It was thought during this time that water could bring disease to people through contact with the skin and that natural bathing weakened the body in general. Bathing with water became a nauseatingly rare occurrence in Europe, with citizens preferring to cover up their body odor with perfumes. These fragrances were carried at the throat in the form of poultices. Bridal bouquets were not only beautiful, but they served a very practical purpose as well! With the happy return of the bathtub in the 19th century came models made from wood, metal, and eventually cast iron. By the end of the century, ceramic tubs were introduced, though they did not gain wide popularity until the advent of the modern in-home bathrooms that came after World War I. Most tubs had the "claw foot" design, and it was not until the mid to late 20th century that the more typical built-in model with bib front became common place. Today, there has been a resurgent interest in making home bathrooms real showpieces. Families who want to add a touch of individuality and class to their homes are installing copper bathtubs and free-standing models with the traditional claw foot design. People no longer have to settle for plain chrome fixtures when there are vintage looks and designer hardware readily available in the marketplace. The Romans had it right: daily bathing makes good hygiene sense, and it makes the world a little sweeter smelling place in which to live.
Article Source: http://articlebridge.com
If you are looking for unusual plumbing fixtures for your home as well as designer brands such as Fusion hardware, contact the experts at Rustica Hardware (www.rusticahardware.com/). Art Gib is a freelance writer.
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