The original shower was:
waterfalls. The falling water rinsed the bathers completely clean and was more efficient than bathing in a traditional basin, which required manual transport of both fresh and waste water. Ancient people reproduced this natural phenomenon by pouring jugs of water, often cold water, over themselves after washing.
The ancient Greeks were the first people to have showers. Their aqueducts and sewage systems made of lead pipes allowed water to be pumped both into and out of large communal shower rooms used by elites and common citizens. These rooms have been discovered by archeologists and are very similar to modern locker rooms and even include bars for hanging clothing or towels. The Romans had these same types of showers and also believed in bathing multiple times a week, if not every day.
The first mechanical shower, operated by a hand pump was patented in England in 1767 by William Feetham. His shower contraption used a pump to force the water into a vessel above the users head and a chain would then be pulled to release water from the vessel. This system did require filling up and pouring out buckets of water, plus it recycled the same dirty water through every cycle. The reinvention of reliable indoor plumbing around 1850 allowed free-standing showers to be connected to a running water source, supplying a renewable flow of water.
Showering is common in Western culture due to the efficiency of using it compared to the bathtub. Its use in modern hygiene is a common practice. A shower uses less water on average than a bath: 21 gallons for a shower compared to 40 gallons for a bath. Need a shower installed? Call: 785-341-4193. De Hart Plumbing Heating and Cooling, serving Manhattan Kansas, Junction City Kansas, Topeka Kansas and some surrounding areas.
