The Tub King Blog - Tub Talk: history of bath tubs

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Traveling Tubs on the Wagon Trail

It was 1867 in a small mining town called Denver, Colorado. With signs of winter fast approaching, the sun set at 4:30 p.m.and didn’t rise again for nearly 15 hours. With the thought of the long, cold hours that lay ahead, there was only one thing on the miners' minds -- whiskey! The hard-drinking miners knew they didn’t have enough liquid gold to make it through the winter, and this made them grow restless.

Determined not to face the harsh mountain weather without it, they hired a group of Irish Teamsters to transport 40 wagon loads of whiskey through the Colorado plains. To ensure its safe arrival, the US Cavalry was commissioned to escort the load.

However, when a crusading group of women from the Temperance movement learned of the shipment, they were furious. They formulated a plan to intercept and destroy the "evil cargo" on its way to Denver. Dressed in their finest Victorian gowns, they packed up their wagons and headed west for the 185-mile journey, singing as they went.

Image courtesy of fotolauncho.com

Knowing it would take at least a month of hard travel through dangerous territory, these ladies of refinement turned their wagons into little mobile homes. They packed every luxury their prairie schooners could hold. There were tables, chairs, linens and silverware, colorful rugs and lamps, even pianos and several bathtubs.

The Temperance ladies were committed to their cause. But they drew the line when it came to traveling without their washtubs. And these were no ordinary tubs. We aren’t just talking galvanized buckets. These traveling tubs were Victorian furniture, replete with intricately decorated modesty covers. All these ladies had to do was slip into the tub while another one poured hot water through an opening at their feet.

Image courtesy of movpins.com

Meanwhile, several other groups became aware of the shipment and decided they, too, wanted a bit of the joy juice. Local Native Americans who were interested in easing the pain of an approaching winter sought to intercept the shipment. To make matters worse, the Irish Teamsters began to grumble and soon decided to strike. Receiving word their precious cargo was in peril, the miners created a posse that headed eastward, ostensibly to recover their wayward shipment. With so many opposing parties looking to get their hands on the whiskey, the wagon train came to a halt … in the middle of nowhere. Inevitably, the women caught up with the whiskey wagon train as it made its way west, and demanded demolition of the alcoholic "mountain dew." (BTW: To learn the fate of the whiskey wagon train, you’ll need to rent the movie, "Hallelujah Trail," made in 1965 starring Burt Lancaster and Lee Remick.)

Early Bathtub History

Photo Credit: dreamstime.com

But in 1867, it wasn’t only women that enjoyed the luxury of bathing on the trail. It's reported that the Bathtubs that existed during the antebellum period before indoor plumbing came into vogue were large but relatively light containers. They were usually hidden away and only pulled out when needed, perfect for on-the-road washing. The typical mid-19th century bathtub was a product of the tinsmith's craft, commonly made from a shell of sheet copper, or zinc. The use of copper continued into the mid-1900s as a liner for wood-enclosed tubs. Commanders and officers of the US Cavalry also enjoyed some downtime relaxing in traveling tubs.

More commonly, tubs back then were steel-cased. By 1867, tub manufacturers started using cast iron, which had been used for several years for making sinks and toilets. The problem with metal was corrosion. Copper and zinc discolored readily around water and soap, and the seams of sheet metal were hard to keep clean. Iron and steel, of course, rusted eventually, even under the most meticulous coat of paint. Bathtubs made of lead were only found in more progressive homes equipped with early water-heating devices. As running water became more common in the latter 19th century, bathtubs became more prevalent and less portable.

Birth of the Modern Bathtub

Photo Credit: brettcogburn.com

While some members of the US Calvary and the Temperance ladies were enjoying their high society tubs, the miners most often bathed in horse troughs, if at all. Bathing wasn’t considered a necessity by these hard-working men. In fact, personal hygiene was considered something of a nuisance. Over time, as bathing became more fashionable, more tub manufacturers entered the market and began improving designs. Out with the horse trough and in with cast iron bathtubs with porcelain interiors on "Clawfoot" pedestals. These tubs rose to popularity in the 19th century and remain so today.

To combat the corrosion problem, tub makers began successfully marketing porcelain-enameled, cast iron bathtubs, a process that remains broadly the same to this day. Some modern bathtubs are made of acrylic or fiberglass; occasionally, waterproof finished wood. In addition to the advanced materials used in making today’s modern bathtubs, many new and innovative bathtub designs have entered the market.

Photo Credit: huffingtonpost.com

One such design is the Walk-in tub that is perfect for seniors. These bathtubs provide a great safety advantage to handicapped persons or those with limited mobility. Not only are these tubs highly functional, there is also a range of hydrotherapeutic options available. Walk-in tubs are perfect for everyday bathing needs, but importantly, they also provide personal safety and independence wrapped in therapeutic luxury.

Tub King's cast iron/porcelain Clawfoot and Pedestal tubs as well as our therapeutic Walk-in Our tubs are made to fit in your bathroom. Or, if you want one for your covered wagon, we can hitch you up with that, too.

In this article, I first gave a brief historical account of the development bathtubs. I highlighted a story made famous by the motion picture, "Hallelujiah Trail," about a skirmish between whisky-thirsty miners and Temperance-minded women of the Old West. It then goes on to talk about elegant cast iron/porcelian Clawfoot and Pedestal tubs as well as safety-minded Walk-in tubs.

If you found this article useful, please share it with your family, friends and co-workers. If you have a comment related to this article, leave it in the Comment section of this blog. Thanks again for visiting with us.

Tub King Customer Walk-in Tub Testimonial

If you’d like to receive a FREE Clawfoot Tub Buyers’ Guide, fill out the form below.

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Have a question? Feel free to contact me at the number or email listed at the end of this article and my brother, Alan, who heads up Tub King, will personally get back to you. It’s been my pleasure sharing this information with you.

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Alan Knight has many years of experience in the antique and senior bathtub industries. His companies not only provide superior products, they are also multi-award winners, receiving the “Best of Jacksonville Chamber Award” four years running. If you’d like to contact Tub King, call (800) 409-3375 or (800) 843-4231; or send an email to Alan@tubking.com.

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A Story About Bathtubs to “Whet” Your Appetite

By Alan Knight

Photo Credit: theamericanmercury.org

On December 28, 1917, the popular journalist H. L. Mencken (who had previously covered the aftermath of the Great Fire of Jacksonville in 1901) published an article in the "New York Evening Mail" titled "A Neglected Anniversary." It described the curious history of the bathtub in America, particularly how people, initially believing that bathtubs posed a health risk, were slow to accept them until President Millard Fillmore popularized them by installing one in the White House in 1850.

Photo Credit: openlettersmonthly.com

“The first bathtub in the United States was installed in Cincinnati, on December 20, 1842, by Adam Thompson. It was made of mahogany and lined with sheet lead. At a Christmas party, he exhibited and explained it and four guests later took a plunge. The next day the Cincinnati paper devoted many columns to the new invention and it gave rise to violent controversy.

“During the same year the Legislature of Virginia laid a tax of $30 a year on all bathtubs that might be set up. In Hartford, Providence, and Wilmington, special and very heavy water rates were laid on persons who had bathtubs. Boston in 1845 made bathing unlawful except on medical advice, but the ordinance was never enforced and in 1862 it was repealed.

Photo Credit: saturdayeveningpost.com

“President Millard Fillmore gave the bathtub recognition and respectability. While Vice President, he visited Cincinnati in 1850 on a stumping tour and inspected the original bathtub and used it. Experiencing no ill effects he became an ardent advocate, and on becoming President, he had a tub installed in the White House. The Secretary of War invited bids for the installation. This tub continued to be the one in use until the first Cleveland Administration.”

The controversy reached other cities, and in more than one place medical opposition was reflected in legislation. In 1843 the Philadelphia Common Council considered an ordinance prohibiting bathing between November 1 and March 15, and this ordinance failed of passage by but two votes.
Some papers designated it as an epicurean luxury, others called it undemocratic, as it lacked simplicity in its surroundings. Medical authorities attacked it as being dangerous to one's health.

Nothing in Mencken's history of the bathtub was true. It was all a joke. Mencken later wrote, "My motive was simply to have some harmless fun in war days.” Mencken said he didn't expect anyone to take his article seriously. However, it literally took several years to straighten out the hoax.

Photo Credit: serenityindesign.blogspot.com

So, what is the truth about bathtubs today? We have certainly come a long way. Today the tubs are more beautiful, comfortable, and functional than ever before. And contrary to the once-held erroneous belief, they are indeed good for one’s health and sense of well-being.

Luxury Tubs. The newly reproduced cast iron and porcelain footed tubs are extremely popular among those who are seeking to add the element of elegance to their bath. One of the more popular designs is the Slipper Tub. It has often been portrayed in movies and television as the tub of the stars. With its high-arching back and sexy lines, it defines wealth and opulence. The robust, rich porcelain interior seems to speak to infer the opulence of royalty. New styles that are patterned after those of yesteryear would include not only the different sizes of Slipper Tubs, but also the Dual-Ended, Pedestal, Double Slippers and Roll Top.

Photo Credit: oaktreelife.com

When you add plumbing fixtures made of chrome, brushed nickel and oil-rubbed bronze to your cast iron/porcelain tubs, you can really make your luxury tub stand out. Matching the legs of the tubs with the same finish as the faucet, drain and water supply lines can really make the tub shine. Combined, all these cohesive design elements deliver the message of luxury and wealth.

Today, prices have never been better for those looking to purchase a luxury bathtub. Because of major production foundries in other countries, these porcelain tubs can be imported and sold at prices that anyone can afford. Alan Knight, president of Tub King, Inc., cautions, “Just make sure you don’t go for an acrylic reproduction of the old designs. We’ve found that over time, they don’t hold up to heavy use and they seem to lose their shape and finish very easily. The right choice would be the cast iron and porcelain original designs. These well-built tubs can potentially last for hundreds of years. Plus they look like a million dollars.”

Photo Credit: wisemanimprovement.com

Functional Tubs. Many people have trouble taking a bath because of mobility constraints. They may still be young, but are suffering from an injury or an early debilitating disease like MS. Then you have the growing senior population, who may have challenges when getting into and out of a traditional bathtub; it’s a real safety task. The Walk-in tub was created to make bathing easier and safer for those in need of help. With the addition of hydrotherapy in the form of air and water jets, the new tub became an instant hit. Now, a person can access the tub through a low ingress/egress, water-tight door, sit down on a non-slip seat, and soak in warm water. Within arm’s reach is a convenient hand-held shower sprayer. They could also engage the air pump and create thousands of therapeutic bubbles to treat various medical conditions. The water pump provides a complete massage system, pulsing water against various parts of the body that need help. The inline heater allows them to remain in the tub as long as they want. The greatest part of this entire package is the freedom. Seniors can take a bath in privacy, without needing help from anyone.

There are quite a few companies out there selling the Walk-in Tub with a high price tag. Don’t get ripped off! Do your homework. Tub King, Inc., offers Walk-in Tubs at discounted prices and will even meet or beat any competitor’s price. Don’t pay $10,000 for a Walk-in Tub when you can purchase the same tub with the same features for a third of that.

Photo Credit: champagnespas.com

Today, numerous scientific studies show from a hygienic and therapeutic (and yes, psychological)
standpoint, frequent bathing is a healthy activity. In fact, there’s an entire academic and real-world field focusing on the well-documented benefits of hydrotherapy.

In this article, I talked about H.L. Mencken’s historic parody about the growing popularity of the bathtub in the U.S., saying it was President Fillmore who helped popularize it in America back in the 19th century. I then went on to describe some of the various historic models such as the elegant clawfoot tub, which is making a comeback today. I also described the benefits of the modern-day Walk-in Tub.

If you found this article interesting, please share and forward. If you’d like to leave a comment or question, please do so in the Comments section below.

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If you’d like to receive a FREE Clawfoot Tub Buyers’ Guide, click here. Or, if you’d like to receive a FREE Walk-In Tub Buyers’ Guide, click here.

Have a question? Feel free to contact me at the number or email listed below and I’ll personally get back to you. Thanks for reading; it’s my pleasure to share this information with you. Here's wishing all you have a healthy, happy and properous New Year.

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Alan Knight is the owner of Tub King, Inc., and SeniorBathtub.com in Jacksonville, Florida. He has many years of experience in the antique and senior bathtub industries. His companies not only provide superior products, they are also award winners, receiving the “Best of Jacksonville Chamber Award” four years running. To contact Tub King directly, call (800) 409-3375, (800)843-4231 or email alan@tubking.com.

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The Birth of the Bathtub

By Kerry Knight

One of the greatest philosophical question has always been, "Where did I come from?" Or, if you're more the intellectual, "From whence did I come?" We all love ORIGIN stories.

Have you ever wondered about the origin of the bathtub? Maybe it's not the most pressing subject on your to-do list, but it is very interesting. And if you are into decorating ideas for your bathroom, you may just love this little tidbit of knowledge.

Pot de chambre 3 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

So, let us begin. Before indoor plumbing, most homes or hovels used chamber pots or washbowls for bathing. They were portable and could be put away easily, and since bathing was not as popular pastime as today, it seemed to work just fine.

Around the 19th century, bathtubs became the product of tinsmiths, the tubs often being formed out of copper or zinc. In progressive houses with water heating devices, some had tubs made of lead sheets in a coffin like wooden box. For those today who know the dangers of lead poisoning, the idea of a coffin box was somewhat prophetic.

We actually owned a 19th century tub made of zinc in a rectangular box of mahogany. It was show piece, but not very practical since it was only about 48 inches long. While transporting it from one warehouse to another, it was left on the trailer too long and someone proceeded to steal it. I'm sure they had no idea what they had. Maybe it should have been made of lead.

English: Kids bathing in a small metal tub. The tub reads "SWANCE". (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Someone came up with a not-so-bright idea of a portable canvas tub, much like the pot-bellied cot. We can all see through that one. No pun intended.

There was even the Mosby Folding Tub. You know, like the Murphy bed that fold's up. Again, not a winner.

In the late 19th century, tubs were cast in iron and copper, but problems of rusting and corrosion was a real handicap. In the 1880s, J.L. Mott was among the first to solve the problem. The result was the porcelain enameled, cast iron, footed tub. In addition, the ubiquitous claw foot type style is still working well for thousands of people today.

In the 1920s the vitreous surface inside was all white, but the cast iron exterior was often painted, with colors, stripes and even designs like Greek frets. Foundries became quite talented at creating designs for the feet, such as eagle claws, bear claws, lion claws and more traditional designs.

The original foot tubs came in a variety of lengths and designs. Most were 60 inches in length with an oval shape and rolled edges. Then came the slipper tub with the high arched back and dual sloping ends that make it perfectly symmetrical.

Because some people complained about cleaning behind the footed tub, the ringed or skirted tub was created with the oval pedestal base, instead of legs. This gave the tub a majestic, almost regal, look.

Slipper bathtub in Amsterdam store window. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today, the old cast iron foundries are gone in the US. But you can still purchase these beautiful pieces of 19th century art. They are still made in many parts of the world, and a few U.S. companies import and stock them for their customers here.

An ad appeared in a retail catalog back in 1910, which read, "Why shouldn't the bathtub be a part of the architecture of the home?" Many are finding that to be good advice, even a hundred years later.

In this article, I shared with you the history of bathtubs. How they have come from chamber pots, to lavishly decorated status symbols and finally the state of the art modern day bathtubs. If you found this article useful or enjoyable, please pass it on to your friends and neighbors. If you have a comment, leave it in the Comment section below. If you have a question, feel free to contact me at the number or email listed at the end of this article.

Alan & Kerry Knight are the owners of Tub King, Inc and SeniorBathtub.com in Jacksonville Florida. Together they have many years of experience in the antique and senior bathtub industries. Their companies not only provide superior products they are also award winners, winning the best of Jacksonville Chamber Award three years running. If you would like to contact them call (800) 409-3375 or (800) 843-4231 or email them at alan@tubking.com.

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