You get out of bed in the morning, stretch, and shuffle to the bathroom. Through sleepy eyes, you turn on the shower and stifle a yawn. You hop in and let the warm water flow through your hair and down your shoulders, bringing you back to life. This is the average morning routine. Get up, shower, and finish getting ready for your day.

But did you ever stop to wonder, where did that shower come from? Who thought of using it? The answer may surprise you.

The Early Days

And then again, maybe it won’t. The earliest showers that are known to us is an all natural waterfall. Falling water rinsed dirt and debris off of bathers and proved more efficient than using a traditional washtub. The ancient Egyptians and Mesopotamian people recreated their waterfall experience by creating indoor shower rooms where servants would pour water over the bather in privacy. These were reserved, however, for the upper class and remained tedious due to the need to tote the water all the way to the shower room.

The Greeks and Romans were the first civilizations to use showers in the more traditional sense.  Communal shower rooms were used by all citizens and were accompanied by both aqueducts and sewage systems to allow for water to be pumped in and disposed of more efficiently.

A More Modern Approach

Englishmen William Feetham patented the first mechanical shower in 1767. The shower used a hand pump that would force water into a vessel above the user’s head. The person would then pull a chain which would release the water. It still wouldn’t pass today’s standards, however. The new invention failed to use hot water and was designed to recycle the dirty water that was already used.

Shower design continued to evolve as public health and cleanliness increased. By the 19th century, personal hygiene was a major concern. In 1889, Edwin Ruud invented the electric water heater, making piping hot showers a possibility. With the advice of scientists of the era, people started bathing more frequently and taking personal hygiene seriously.

The 20th century brought us what we know today as showers. In fact, if you look at designs from the early part of the century, you might be surprised at how similar they look to today’s designs. The size and shape of the holes in the shower head correlated to the pressure of the water that would be sprayed. Showering became a part of the population's daily routine.

Many Styles

While the standard fixed shower head design is not so different from that of our forefathers’, there are many more styles for us to choose from now. Hand held shower heads offer flexibility. You can use the longer hose and hand held design to easily clean dogs, children, even the shower itself. It also can provide a more satisfying shower experience to anybody suffering from mobility issues allowing caregivers or those needing a seated shower more comfort and adaptability. The design also allows you to conserve water by focusing the spray exactly where you need it.

Come see our selection of hand held shower heads!

Rain shower heads are the ultimate in luxury. Offering a wide and consistent spray, they can come in many different styles to fit your decor. Rain shower heads are known to be relaxing and sought after. You can be sure that if you install  a rain shower head, you are adding value to both your bathroom and your home!

Come see our selection of rain shower heads!

Filtered shower heads are the newest kid on the block. Filtering out chlorine and other harmful chemicals that are found in water, a filtered shower head can make all the difference in your skin and your health! Nicole from Ms. Quinn Face shares how filtered shower water improved her hair, nails, and skin. If that doesn’t convince you, read Katie from Wellness Mama’s top five reasons to always use a shower filter. And when you’re done with those great reads hop back over here and check out our selection.

Come see our selection of filtered shower heads!

Last, but certainly not least, we have fixed shower heads. A classic if there ever was one. Fixed shower heads remain the most popular style of shower head on the market. Why? Because it is what we’re used to! Fixed shower heads are easy to install and use. With a wide variety of styles and finishes, you can be sure that you will find one to fit the look of your bathroom.

Come see our selection of fixed shower heads!

Showers are an amazing invention that we take for granted everyday (or every other day if that’s your thing). The next time you hop into the warm spray of water, take a moment to appreciate how far we’ve come from those first days of waterfalls and recycled water. And make sure that your shower head is everything you want it to be.