HISTORY OF HOT TUBS AND JACUZZI
The use of heated water as a health and relaxation aid is not a new concept. Cultures have used hot springs—bodies of water heated by geothermal forces—as bathing and gathering spots for millennia, eventually taking inspiration from these natural springs to create man-made spas and tubs. Read on to discover more about how modern-day hot tubs came to be, and the part the Jacuzzi brothers played in it all:
ANCIENT HISTORY
Ancient cultures were known to make use of natural hot springs, from the Japanese “onsen” since at least A.D. 737 to the Roman thermal springs and bathhouses. When hot springs were not available, past cultures created rudimentary hot tubs by adding heated stones to a cauldron of water. Later on, the Romans developed piping to carry hot water from a furnace to a pool or other contained body of water. While these facts mark the beginnings of the importance of hydrotherapy, it was the Jacuzzi brothers that pioneered what became known as hydromassage.
THE JACUZZI BROTHERS
The road bridging ancient hot tubs and modern spas is a long and interesting one leading back to the Jacuzzi brothers. After immigrating to California from Italy in the early 1900s, the Jacuzzi family initially made their living as inventors, designing advancements in aviation and water pumps for agricultural use (specifically, orange groves). But it was their submersible pump, the first in the world, which pulled water from the ground that was the first step that led them towards the Jacuzzi® Brand you know today.
In 1956, a Jacuzzi family member developed rheumatoid arthritis. In an effort to reduce the pain associated with this child’s affliction, the Jacuzzi brothers used their knowledge of hydraulics to create a hydrotherapy pump, the J-300. This pump was portable and transformed any standard bathtub into a rejuvenating spa, launching the wellness industry.
THE FIRST JACUZZI® BATHTUB AND HOT TUBS
In 1968, Roy Jacuzzi created the world’s first integrated whirlpool bath, called the Roman, featuring integrated jets with a 50-50 air-to-water ratio. As the years passed, the jetted bathtubs led way to the indoor-outdoor hot tub, becoming more than just a health aid—it became a gathering place for families and friends, much as it had been in the Roman days.
From the revolutionary J-500™ Hot Tub Collection to the designer Avvio™ Bathtub Collection, Jacuzzi® Brands continue to evolve today, dedicating extensive resources to research focusing on building products that foster health, relaxation, and socialization.