A Brief History of the Modern Bathtub: Part 1

Bathing is a basic human process that’s existed since the dawn of mankind, with natural streams and bodies of water serving as communal bathing areas for generations of people. Even as plumbing and hot water became readily accessible, luxury bathhouses and private baths were considered pampering and out of reach of common people in most civilizations.

The commonly-available, modern-style bathtub that we know today didn’t come into popular use until the mid-19th century.

Washbowls and Moveable Tubs

Bathtubs weren’t a fixture in many homes before the widespread implementation of indoor plumbing. Instead, they were light and portable, often set aside in storage or placed outdoors if there wasn’t much space in the house.

Typically made from:

• Sheet copper
• Zinc
• Tin

These tubs could be considered early predecessors to today’s built-in tub or pedestal tub styles.

More upscale homes had lead tubs with wooden enclosures that were sometimes equipped with early water heating mechanisms. As the 19th century progressed and running water became more prevalent in society, copper and steel tubs with wooden enclosures or bronze legs became the standard for high-end homes of the era.

Cast Iron Tubs and Glazing

While toilets and sinks were made from cast iron since the late 1850s, the corrosion and rusting problems with the material kept it from being used in bathtubs.

Porcelain enamel worked well for cast iron sinks, but the complex shape of bathtubs kept it from being a viable solution. Plus, when filled with hot water, the cast iron would expand and stretch the coating. However, British tub makers eventually solved the problem and created bathtubs made entirely from ceramic with glazed surfaces. These resulted in extremely heavy tubs and made exporting them difficult, but other manufacturers began to adopt the technique and its popularity spread.

Eventually, enameled cast iron bathtubs emerged as a durable and desirable solution. Porcelain seemed to be the perfect solution to many complaints about bathtubs in that era.

They were:

• Smooth
• Sleek
• Offered easier maintenance without the risk of rusting

Unfortunately, they were very heavy and expensive compared to steel tubs – sometimes several hundred dollars more expensive. They became a status symbol going into the 20th century and beyond; a necessary feature of any wealthy household.

High-End Bathrooms

A sure sign of progressive thinking and high culture meant your bathroom had several fixtures that served many purposes beyond daily hygiene.

During this time, bathrooms began to evolve into personal wellness spaces thanks to features like:

• Therapeutic showers for relaxation and health benefits

• Soaking tubs that transformed simple lavatories into personal spas

• Multiple fixtures tailored for more than just daily hygiene

After World War I, however, the large homes that accommodated these multi-fixture bathrooms started to disappear, and cast iron, clawfoot tubs became more popular.

J.L. Mott Iron Works achieved an iron casting technique that involved firing the coating, then reducing the production costs. This allowed many more homeowners to purchase the clawfoot tub style that many older homes still use today — a true hallmark of traditional 20th century design.

Next time, we’ll talk about design options and bathtub styles popular after the first World War and the color craze that followed.

Contact Bathtub Refinishing & Repair Professionals

Until then, contact Seattle Bathtub Guy for any and all bathtub repairs to keep the centerpiece of your bathroom functional and beautiful for years to come. Give us a call today!

A Brief History of the Modern Bathtub: Part 2

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