The History Of Spas

Way Back:

Merano Italy is where the oldest known spa (mineral bath) is still in existence. Here there is evidence of use of the spring dating back 5000 years ago. It is thought that baths were used by Egyptians for therapeutic purposes as early as 2000 B.C. (not to be confused with "Before Chlorine") . Early forms of hot tubs were simply a caldera, whereby sizzling stones were used to heat the water.

The Greeks:

Mineral and thermal baths were used in Greece 500 B.C. Baths were built near natural hot springs or volcanoes. The elite would meet at these natural hot springs to discuss philosophical views and treat physical ailments. It is believed that the founder of medicine, Hippocrates (460-375 BC), recommended hydrotherapy for the treatment of disorders such as jaundice and rheumatism.

The Romans:

Mineral waters were also enjoyed by the Romans, but the ancient Roman baths were used as recreational areas by hundreds of citizens. Elaborate aqueduct systems were used to service stone bath tubs, these carried mineral waters throughout complex private rooms, steam rooms and public baths. The Diocletian was the largest of all Roman baths. Completed in A.D. 305 and covered an area of 130,000 sq. yards.
Unctuarium is where the Romans would go first, having oil rubbed onto their skin. They would then move onto the tepidarium (or warm room) lying around chatting. From there, it was on to the hot and steamy caldarium, similar to a Turkish bath. Here they sat and perspired, scraping their skin with a curved metal tool know as a strigil. After a dip in the calidarium (hot bath) they would take a quick dip in the frigidarium (cold bath).

The Spa:

The town of Spa (east of Belgium) is where the word "spa" was derived. The town is still a well known resort for baths and mineral springs. The word "spa" (originally Hungarian) became an expression referring to natural mineral springs and surrounding areas where people came to relax and take "The Cure".

The British:

According to historians, around 1589, Queen Elizabeth I bathed at least once a month, "whether she needed it or not". Establishing five baths within the town including the King's Bath and Cross Bath which became popular with lepers and rheumatics.
The waters of Bath are 120 degrees Fahrenheit, generate over one million gallons of mineral water per day and contain over thirty elements including calcium, sulfur, potassium and magnesium. One interesting fact is that the water has a slight radioactive background reading.

The Japanese:

The "ofuro" (or hot water) bathing in freestanding wooden tubs, for centuries has been a family custom. Occupational forces brought the knowledge of this custom back home with them after World War II.

The United States:

The health benefits of natural springs, even before European settlers arrived in the New World, were enjoyed by Native Americans. In many instances, these natural springs were used for magical and religious purposes as well as hygienic. One of the oldest spas in North American colonies is believed to have been in Berkeley Springs (later known as Warm Springs), West Virginia.
Saratoga Springs in New York were one of the most popular of the early colonial springs for hydrotherapy. Carefully guarded by settlers until 1767, when according to legend, Iroquois people helped Sir William Johnson recover from illness by recommending the "medicine spring of the Great Spirit". In 1791, the post-revolutionary "floating swimming bath" or "swimming cribs" was introduced in Philadelphia PA. These water therapy inventions of canvas and wood were staked into a river or lake bottom and sometimes tethered to a shore.
In 1915, the general public became aware of pools and spas as a way of life when Francis X. Bushman installed the first in Hollywood. By 1925, Pascal Paddock was known as the father of the industry and the swimming pool construction began to emerge.
As a footnote to the history of the hot tub and water therapy, Franklin D. Roosevelt received therapeutic baths and muscle treatments for his debilitating pain of polio during his administration from 1933-1945. He made Warm Spring Co., his "little White House" and dedicated the treatment facility to others with disabilities.

The Emergence of the Hot Tub:

In the 1960's the first wooden hot tubs began to emerge in California. Inspired by the Japanese ofuru, these early prototypes were still made from used oak barrels, wine tanks and olive vats from nearby wineries. Redwood hot tubs then began to appear, but often leaked and were difficult to keep clean. These tubs lacked effervescence and bubbles.
Since pool contractors had been making in-ground concrete spas for years, the demand for an alternative led to the invention of the lightweight formed shell which is the basis for acrylic spas we know today.

The Jacuzzi:

In 1954, an Italian family of seven brothers lead by Joseph Jacuzzi developed a portable whirlpool pump out of necessity for an ailing relative suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The pump, later refined and coupled with jets using an air injection system that produced a froth of bubbles. This air-water mixture proved to be highly therapeutic and this invention spawned an industry that made Jacuzzi a household name.

The rest is, "history".