Showers - A Brief Overview

Showers are a recently modern phenomenon with the development of shower trays, shower enclosures and shower doors, but they haven't always been so popular.

It's understandable why we love showering in our modern culture. Shower cubicles and enclosures have been developed to suit our lifestyle; a way to wash speedily and efficiently in our time starved culture. For some, showering is a relaxation, a way to wash away the troubles of the day, or to pummel tired muscles for instant stress-relief. Whether it's for speedy efficiency or indulgent relaxation, it's hard to imagine the inconvenience of life without showers. At home, in hotels and in gyms we rely on good showers: high tech power showers, shower enclosures to protect privacy and shower doors designed to prevent leaks. But showers haven't always been so popular throughout history.

Waterfalls: Nature's Shower

The natural shower is of course the waterfall – an image often used in shampoo ads – often featuring an exotic Hawaii location. But the shower was adopted into civilisation by the Ancient Egyptians. Archaeologists have found the remnants of a bathroom in Egypt that dates back to 1350 B.C. Showering was simple, unlike today's shower trays, shower heads and shower enclosures – it was thought they used a simple basin operated by servants pouring vases of water over the bather.

Cleanliness next to Godliness?

In Ancient Greece, like many warm climates, the people would shower under the large fountains that featured in the city for a make-shift shower. But showering wasn't popular all over Europe – in the 15th Century, Queen Isabella of Spain said she only took two showers in her lifetime. Cleanliness was associated with vanity and unholiness. After the plague, showering and cleanliness made a comeback in the 16th Century as Windsor Castle built special bathing rooms.

Shower Devotees

In 1767, William Feetham patented the shower using a modest hand pump. The modern shower as we know it was born as showering became commonplace and associated with good health. Showering today is seen as favourable to baths thanks to the fact it is practical, functional, efficient and speedy; qualities that are increasingly important in our eco-aware, time-starved era. It's now possible to buy designer shower frames, shower enclosures and trays and even turn entire rooms into areas devoted to the shower with the wet room.

Heatandplumb.com is the one-stop-shop where you can find everything you need to make your home comfortable, including invaluable advice from our customer services team. From toilet seats to solar panels, you can buy leading brand names at great prices. Everything comes with a manufacturer’s guarantee and we strive to make sure that our customer service is spot-on, every time. To find the perfect supplies for your bathroom, including bath screens, bathroom suites, bathroom furniture, white bathroom furniture, bathroom cabinets, bathroom mirrors and much more, browse our site, or call us on 0871 272 22 22.