A bathtub is a plumbing fixture used for the purpose of bathing.

A bathtub is usually placed in a

bathroom either as a stand-alone fixture or in conjunction with a shower.

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. The Roman
Empire is most widely known as the early champions of bathing. Around 500 BC Roman
citizens were encouraged to bathe daily in one of the many public baths The Romans used
marble for the tubs, lead and bronze for pipes, and created a complex sewage system for
sanitation purposes. The Roman Empire set the early bar for modern personal hygiene. The
attachment of people with bathtubs is evident throughout history. The end of World War I
resulted in a housing construction boom in the United States and a new conception of the
purpose-built modern bathroom. Complete with toilet, sink, and bathtubs, the modern bathroom
was a feature of 100% of new homes by the end of the 20th century.

Most modern bathtubs are made of acrylic or fiberglass, but alternatives are available in enamel
over steel or cast iron, and occasionally waterproof finished wood. Modern bathtubs have
overflow and waste drains and may have taps mounted on them. They may be built-in or 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. The process
enameling cast iron bathtubs was invented by the Scottish born American David Dunbar Buick.

Two main styles of bathtub are common. They are:

 Western-style bathtubs in which the bather lies down. These baths are typically shallow
and long.
 Eastern style bathtubs in which the bather sits up. These are known as “ufour” in Japan
and are typically short and deep.

Bathtubs are of various types & uses. They are:

1. The Clawfoot Tub or claw-foot tub was considered a luxury item in the late 19th Century,
modern technology has contributed to a drop in the price of Clawfoot Tubs. Clawfoot
Tubs usually require more water than a standard bathtub. While true antique Clawfoot
tubs are still considered collectible items, new reproduction Clawfoot tubs are chosen by
remodelers and new home builders. Clawfoot tubs come in 5 major styles:

 Classic Roll Rim, Roll Top, or Flat Rim tubs

 Slipper tubs - where one end is raised and sloped creating a more comfortable lounging
position.
 Double Slipper Tubs - where both ends are raised and sloped.
 Double Ended Tubs - where both ends of the tub are rounded. Notice how one end of the
classic tub is rounded and one is fairly flat.
 Pedestal Tub - Pedestal tubs, unlike all the styles listed above, do not have claw feet. The
tub rests on a pedestal in what most would term an art deco style. Evidence of pedestal
tubs dates back to the Isle of Crete in 1000 BC.
 2. A Baby bathtub is one used for bathing infants, especially those not yet old enough to sit
up on their own. These can be either a small, stand-alone bath that is filled with water
from another source, or a device for supporting the baby that is placed in a standard
bathtub. Both types are designed to allow the baby to recline while keeping its head out
of the water.

3. Hot tubs are common heated pools used for relaxation and sometimes for therapy. The
"hippie" era (1950 - 1970) popularized them in America in songs and movies.

4. Whirlpool tubs first became popular in America during the 1960s and 70's. A spa is also
called a "jacuzzi" in USA since the word became a generic after plumbing component
manufacturer Jacuzzi introduced the "Spa Whirlpool" in 1968. Air bubbles may be
introduced into the nozzles via an air-bleed venturi pump.

Bathtubs are a major bathing accessory & it has changed the way people look at personal
hygiene. It has been around for centuries & will be there for centuries more to come.