When you hear the words “Hot Tub”, you immediately think of Luxury, Cutting edge design, Relaxation and fun summer nights. However, it has not always been Jet massages, LED lights and built in sound systems. Back in 600BC, the first hot tub was constructed and chiselled out of solid granite for King Phraortes of Ancient Persia.
Archaeological evidence suggests that hot therapeutic baths were used by the early Egyptians some 4,000 years ago. As early as 2000 BCE, Egyptians embraced hot baths as a part of their daily routine. In fact, some Egyptians bathed up to four times a day, taking personal cleanliness to an entirely new level.
The great philosophers of Greece were also big fans of hot water, as they believed it had therapeutic qualities, they’d send hours enjoying social gatherings in their thermal baths, surrounded by the elaborate structures of their culture.
Then came the Romans, whose rulers would outdo their predecessors by designing and building extravagant large-scale spas. These facilities were often constructed to help weary legionnaires recovery from their military wounds and ailments. You might not know that the term spa is an acronym of “Sanus Per Aquam,” meaning “health through water.” Spas were built across the Roman Empire and would often include sports arenas, massage parlours, and restaurants too.
In Japan, hot water bathing in freestanding wooden tubs known as ‘ofuro’ has been a family tradition for centuries, while the saying ‘Mizu-no-Kokoro’ translates into ‘Mind Like Water’.
The first modern home spas were said to originate in California around 1958, often crafted out of old redwood vats and discarded wine barrels. The swinging sixties also encouraged hot tub development, but water sanitation and filtration systems were not exactly a priority. Another problem was using wood as a material, as it did little to prevent leaks, contained natural toxins, and was a breeding ground for bacteria, mold, algae and slime. But by the end of the decade, the first fibreglass shell hot tubs came to market, which were soon replaced by cast acrylic in the early seventies.
This made it much easier for owners to maintain water cleanliness, while manufacturers could also start integrating pumps, filters, control systems, and jets into the malleable and versatile plastic. While several technologies were borrowed from the swimming pool industry, the work of an Italian migrant changed the face of hot tub design forever.
A couple of decades previously, Candido Jacuzzi used his aviation engineering background to develop a whirlpool bath for his son, who had rheumatoid arthritis. Years later, third generation family member Roy Jacuzzi invented and marketed the first self-contained, fully integrated whirlpool bath, and the family surname became synonymous with hot tubs.
The hot tub industry has been booming for years, so what are you waiting for? Here at Wizard Hot Tubs, our aim is to make your experience as modern, cutting edge and enjoyable as possible. The magic is at your fingertips!
