Hot tubs have come a long way since their inception. Nowadays, we have all sorts of fancy additions from bespoke sanitising systems to high-density insulation, eco-friendly circulation pumps, hydromassage jets, and in-spa audio and media entertainment, there's not much more you can pack in (except maybe a cocktail or two). But the history of the hot tub and it's evolution is an interesting one. Ancient TubsYou might not know that the term spa is actually an acronym of “Sanus Per Aquam,” meaning “health through water.” There is significant archaeological evidence to suggest that hot therapeutic baths were first used by the early Egyptians some 4,000 years ago. Kings would bathe in extravagant baths carved from giant blocks of granite. The great philosophers of Greece including Plato and Hippocrates were fans of hot water as they learned of it's healing and therapeutic qualities. Elaborate structures were built around water springs, which was where social gatherings and activities took place.Then came the Romans. Not to be outshone by their predecessors, they set about designing and building extravagant, large-scale public and private spas big enough for multiple people. These facilities were often constructed to help weary soldiers recover from their military wounds and ailments, but were also for social gatherings and places where people would meet and unwind.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’. And there are dozens of other examples across the world where heat therapy in water has been used for centuries. Modern day SpasThe first modern incarnations of the hot tub popped up in California in the late 1950’s, normally home made from old crates and tubs. As we moved into the 1960’s barrel tubs were common, however water sanitation was not. Wood isn't an ideal material as it is porous and leaks, and thanks to there being no pumps or filtration, it was a breeding ground for algae and bacteria. By the end of the decade, the first fibreglass hot tubs came to market, which were soon replaced by acrylic in the early seventies. This made it much easier for owners to maintain water cleanliness, while manufacturers could start adding pumps, filters, control systems, and jets. While several technologies were borrowed from the swimming pool industry, it was the work of an Italian migrant that changed the face of hot tub design forever.Candido Jacuzzi used his 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. His jacuzzi tubs are the precursor to the hot tub and have been on the market since 1970. The first models sold by Roy and his company Jacuzzi Bros. (later Jacuzzi, Inc.) were sold to the public in 1968. The first model was known as the “Roman Bath,” undoubtedly named for the famed baths and spas of Ancient Rome.Hot Tubs TodayThere are many different types and styles of hot tubs, designed for both indoor and outdoor use. They also come in different sizes and shapes, colours and add ons for those seeking to benefit from their therapeutic jet streams. Inflatable hot tubs have proven popular particularly in the Lockdown with sales rising over 1,000% in the summer of 2020.Hot tubs gained a particular starring role in the 2010 Sci-Fi comedy “Hot Tub Time Machine” and its 2016 sequel, “Hot Tub Time Machine 2.” The hot tub has also found itself in other starring roles, such as the coming of age scene in the 1986’s cult classic “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” If this has made you jealous and longing for a long soak, why not check out our range and hire one for yourself? Our inflatable hot tubs come with hassle free delivery, installation and collection, all you have to do is pick the date and sit back and relax.
