A History of Spa

Origins The recorded history of spa bathing goes back to classical Roman times. At least as early as 500 BC Romans bathed in hot air baths called "thermae." The term "spa", however, is derived from the town of Spa, Belgium, where since medieval times illnesses caused by iron deficiency were treated by drinking chalybeate (iron bearing) spring water. Growing Popularity In 16th century England the old Roman ideas of medicinal bathing were revived at towns like Bath and Yorkshire. Yorkshire boasted a chalybeate spring from which people drank the medicinal waters, and this spring became known as "The English Spaw" (a reference to Spa, Belgium), thus beginning the use of the word Spa as a generic description. Modern Spas In the late 1940's hydraulic pump manufacturer Candido Jacuzzi developed a submersible bathtub pump for his young son who suffered from rheumatoid arthritis. Crippled and in terrible pain, the child received regular hydrotherapy treatments at local hospitals but Candido could not stand to see his son suffering between visits. Through an intelligent adaption of the water pumps he made for industrial use, he created a way to give his son soothing whirlpool treatments in the bath at home. In 1955, the Jacuzzi family decided to market Candido's Jacuzzi whirlpool bath as a therapeutic aid, selling it in drugstores and bath supply shops. In 1968 Candido Jacuzzi invented and brought to market the first self-contained, fully integrated whirlpool bath by incorporating jets into the sides of the tub. The son, Kenneth Jacuzzi, eventually came to run the company. Today Jacuzzis and Spa Baths can be found at most fitness centers and swimming pools, and due to the introduction of the portable spa, the home Spa became very popular.