Misc. Ads from 1880s -1920s Replayed
Replayed from a 1870s -1900s ads
CAUTION – these are old, old Ads!
These are old company ads from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. Note that they look different from the ads you see today. One of the ads is for bathtubs. See below for a brief history of bathtubs.
Bathtubs
A bathtub, or tub (informal) is a large container for holding water in which a person may take a bath. Most modern bathtubs are made of acrylic or fiberglass, but alternatives are available in enamel on steel or cast iron.
A bathtub is usually placed in a bathroom either as a stand-alone fixture or in conjunction with a shower.
Modern bathtubs have overflow and waste drains and may have taps mounted on them. They are usually built-in, but may be free-standing or sometimes sunken.
Until recently, most bathtubs were roughly rectangular in shape but with the advent of acrylic thermoformed baths, more shapes are becoming available. Bathtubs are commonly white in colour although many other colours can be found.
There are several different types of tubs, here are a few:
- Clawfoot tub – The clawfoot tub or claw-foot tub was considered a luxury item in the late 19th century, originally made from cast iron and lined with porcelain.
- Baby bathtub – A baby bathtub is one used for bathing infants, especially those not yet old enough to sit up on their own.
- Hot tubs – Hot tubs are common heated pools used for relaxation and sometimes for therapy.
- Whirlpool tubs – Whirlpool tubs first became popular in America during the 1960s and 70s. A spa or hot tub is also called a “jacuzzi” since the word became a generic after plumbing component manufacturer Jacuzzi introduced the “Spa Whirlpool” in 1968.
Private cast iron bathtubs with porcelain interiors on “claw foot” pedestals rose to popularity in the 19th century. Photo by Yannick Trottier, license: SA-SS-2.5.
Documented early plumbing systems for bathing go back as far as around 3300 BC with the discovery of copper water pipes beneath a palace in the Indus Valley Civilization of ancient India.
Evidence of an early surviving personal sized bath tub was found on the Isle of Crete where a 5-foot (1.5 m) long pedestal tub was found built from hardened pottery. This type of tub could be a likely forefather of the classic 19th century clawfoot tub.
In 1883, Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company and Kohler Company began producing cast-iron bathtubs. In the latter half of the 20th century, the once popular clawfoot tub morphed into a built-in tub with a small apron front.
This enclosed style afforded easier maintenance and, with the emergence of colored sanitary ware, more design options for the homeowner.
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