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1500 BCE
The earliest Bathroom
The first flushing water closet dates back between 1500 and 1000 B.C. in Crete, where the people created sophisticated underground sewage and drainage systems. Additionally, Egyptians included bathrooms and other plumbing fixtures in their tombs -
Period: 1301 to 1400
The Middle Ages
Some resources suggest that bathing declined following the collapse of the Roman Empire, but this is not completely accurate – it was actually the Middle Ages that saw the beginning of soap production – proof that bathing was definitely not uncommon. It was only after the Renaissance that bathing declined; water was actually feared as a carrier of disease, and so sweat baths and heavy perfumes were preferred.
In the 14th century, Edward III installed a bathroom in the Palace of Westminster. -
Period: to
The Flush Toilet
The flush toilet was invented in 1596, but didn’t become widespread until 1851, and in 1767 Englishman William Feetham invented the first modern shower. -
Period: to
The Sink
In the early 1700s, most homes came with a washstand, which acted as the bathroom sink. A washstand was a simple fixture consisting of a deep bowl and a small table. Often a pitcher was placed next to the deep bowl. In a way, the pitcher acted as a faucet, providing water to the static basin. -
Period: to
The Shower Has been Invented
We take a trip through time and look back at the history of the shower – from waterfall showers in the Ancient World, to the first modern shower – invented in 1767 by William Fettham -
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When The Bathrooms Were added to houses
By examining the questions and answers, we can see how housing has changed in the past 60 years. The art and practice of indoor plumbing took nearly a century to develop, starting in about the 1840s. -
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The bathroom in the 19th and 20th century
In the 19th century the house became organised around what was perceived as the usefulness of the rooms, and at a time when fears concerning germs and hygiene were rife, the bathroom rose to prominence within many households, while mass showers were provided for the poor. -
Period: to
The Bathroom Goes Public
The very first public toilets were introduced in 1851 in London's Crystal Palace. George Jennings, who was a plumber, installed what he called “Monkey Closets”. People were excited by them because they were the first public toilets that anyone had ever seen – and they flushed! -
Period: to
Bathrooms Today
Today’s bathrooms are all about combining stylish looks with functionality. The bathroom is a place to get ready on those busy weekday mornings, but it’s also a space where you can relax and unwind too. -
Period: to
Future Bathrooms
A bathroom of the future will cater to the specific needs of individual family members, including: customized temperature control of the room, mood music, lighting and adjustable basin heights. Moreover, multi-screen displays will introduce an interactive experience to the bathroom.
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