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Showering in 1914
Alan R. Mercurio_3
Member Posts: 1,624
I've been keeping very busy, and things are well, thanks for asking :) I'm happy to hear you enjoy OTT.
Your friend in the industry,
Alan R. Mercurio
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Your friend in the industry,
Alan R. Mercurio
<A HREF="http://www.heatinghelp.com/getListed.cfm?id=408&Step=30">To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"</A>
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True or False? Around 1914 it was said that woman should seek advice of a physician before taking a shower.
After I see some answers Ill share a story with you and Ill even share a picture of me in the shower if Dan will allow that? :-) It's clean no pun intended LOL
Your friend in the industry,
Alan R. Mercurio
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Alan,
I`ll say true,,there were alot of weird "stigmas" then.
Just the answer will suffice, no pic required here LOL!
Dave0 -
Well let a couple hours go by to see if any one else cares to share their thoughts. Then as Paul Harvey would say, Ill tell you the rest of the story!
Your friend in the industry,
Alan R. Mercurio
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No prob Alan,
not to get off topic,,but how are things on your side of the street?
I always enjoy OTT.
Dave0 -
true,
but I can't recall the reason claimed.0 -
That would be true. Home d0 -
John, Stay tuned for the rest of the story
Your friend in the industry,
Alan R. Mercurio
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"the internet is such a powerful tool"
Amen to that!
Your friend in the industry,
Alan R. Mercurio
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And now, for the rest of the storyThe Needle Shower
It was uncommon for homes built before the 1920s to have a shower in them. For homeowners of the time, a shower was an unnecessary expense.
Even where indoor plumbing was common, such as the big cities, showers were used primarily by men, not women.
Showers had been in use in barracks, gymnasiums and bathhouses by men. The shower was strongly associated therefore with athleticism and men.
Women were considered the weaker sex, delicate and fragile compared to men. The streams of water were widely felt to be harmful to women. Home décor authority Charles E. White wrote in 1914 that some constitutions cannot stand the rigors of shower bathing, a practice which should be resorted to only under the advice of a physician. So, well up until the 1930s, most women would not consider showering, so what was there for a shower fixture in the home? Bathing was done in a tub.
But showers did have a purpose in the home for those who felt the need, and purpose was medicinal or therapeutic. Shower sprays were believed to stimulate the action of the skin, and make some people healthier.
Not until the late 20s and 30s did ideas regarding germs and hygiene trickle into public consciousness and begin to have an effect on how people outfitted their bathrooms.
There were some people who specified showers for pre-1920 homes, and those people tended to be wealthy.
The showers that had the most therapeutic value were the ones that had multiple sprays that would apply jets of water to specific parts of the body. These showers were called needle showers, since the fine jets of spray would strike the kidney area, ribcage, liver or spine like fine needles.
These elaborate showers were very expensive, commonly costing from $300.00 to about $500.00.
By comparison, Sears and Roebucks 1910 Home Builders Catalog list its most expensive bathroom ensemble, tub, sink and water closet with all necessary fittings to hook up, (without shower) for $49.95.
Your friend in the industry,
Alan R. Mercurio
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Great story Alan,
and yes, I looked at your pic. I remember when I was an apprentice, 30 odd years ago, seeing a shower assembly (close to the one you`re in), on an old "roll-rim" bathtub. At that time it was about (guessing) 60 years old, and the faucets were on the outside of the tub(not on the end as per usual old ones), the "filling orifice", or spout(as we call-it), was on the side of the bathtub itself about 3 inches up from the bottom!
The "shower frame" itself(around the tub), must have been schedule 40/C-plated brass!
Funny thing,, I still remember the house,,but I would doubt it`s there now!
Again, great story!
Dave0 -
Glad, you enjoyed the story I have a attached a picture of a tub I seen also.
Your friend in the industry,
Alan R. Mercurio
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But since
women got the "OK" to shower, they have made up for lost time and we cannot easily pry them from their bliss...."If you do not know the answer, say, "I do not know the answer", and you will be correct!"
-Ernie White, my Dad0 -
You're so right, Brad, You're so right. LOL My daughter is proof of that.
Your friend in the industry,
Alan R. Mercurio
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That's why
indirects are so nice!
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So what kind of work did you perform on the Endicott Estate
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Making the world a better place.
Here is an interesting way to get a bath. Taken for a Sears mag dated 1920.
Dave Stroman,
Denver
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If this guy's shower cap
was to make showers more appealing to women. . . No wonder it took so long!Terry T
steam; proportioned minitube; trapless; jet pump return; vac vent. New Yorker CGS30C
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Actually Daniel, this was on the way home from the Oil Heat Retreat in NH. I had the pleasure of sharing the long weekend with a couple of my friends George Perrelli and the lovely Audrey.
We decided to take a tour of the Castle in the Clouds known as The Castle Lucknow
Of course we enjoyed the scenery the walk through history, the furnishings and features throughout the castle. But being heating geeks, we focused on the plumbing and heating.
We learned that years ago the boiler was converted to oil heat (can you see the smile on my face?) A new boiler was recently commissioned however details of what boiler (Manufacturer & BTUs) were not available and believe me George and I tried to get into the off limits basement area.
Below is a link to the castle should you ever have the opportunity I would highly recommend paying it a visit.
The Castle In The Clouds
Your friend in the industry,
Alan R. Mercurio
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No argument there, Steamhead.
Your friend in the industry,
Alan R. Mercurio
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Dave, Thats awesome! Thanks for sharing it.
Your friend in the industry,
Alan R. Mercurio
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ttekushan, That's too funny. Thanks for sharing the picture.
Your friend in the industry,
Alan R. Mercurio
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Boy that bathroom looks almost identical to the Endicott Estate in Dedham with the needle shower and tub, hence the reason I stated as such my response. I had my wedding there.
That place on the mountain looks pretty cool. I'll have to pay it a visit as you suggested.
Take care,
Daniel0 -
Daniel, What a small world this is. I was born and raised in Roslindale, Mass. My Sister and Brother-inlaw reside in Dedham.
Your friend in the industry,
Alan R. Mercurio
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Roslindale??
Alan- That is where I live... on Kittredge Street down from Metropolitan Ave. Where did you live? We will erect a plaque.
Unbelievable... who knew?"If you do not know the answer, say, "I do not know the answer", and you will be correct!"
-Ernie White, my Dad0 -
Holly Smokes as I stated earlier, It sure is a small world. I lived on Amhurst Street that ran into Belgrade Ave. and Rossi Square. And just think thanks to Ruthe us two home boyz got to share some time chatting together.
Your friend in the industry,
Alan R. Mercurio
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Well, my wife grew up in Roslindale but I in Worcester and now we both live in Worcester. I work at Beth Israel and lived for a short while in Chestnut Hill.0 -
When you get back in town
look me up, Alan! I know Amherst St. well and walk it sometimes when I head for the commuter rail. Really small world! My house used to be #9 Cummins Highway and was moved in 1963 to make way for the Higgins Funeral Home parking lot... dang, small world!
Thanks for the pic- we had no idea."If you do not know the answer, say, "I do not know the answer", and you will be correct!"
-Ernie White, my Dad0 -
Daniel- you probably know Rob
Bucey at BI- head of facilities I believe. We worked together for a time. Take that for "small world syndrome"!"If you do not know the answer, say, "I do not know the answer", and you will be correct!"
-Ernie White, my Dad0 -
Brad, You're right we had know idea and I really will try to remember to touch base with you the next time I head that way.
Your friend in the industry,
Alan R. Mercurio
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Sycamore St
Alan,
My wife's grandmother lived on Sycamore St. My mother inlaw
grew up there.
Leo0 -
And the world just keeps getting smaller
Your friend in the industry,
Alan R. Mercurio
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Believe it or not I was talking the other day to a guy named John who is the maintenance supervisor on the night shift about the two pipe steam system in some of the older buildings that are part of the Farr and Clinical Center. They have wall hung Peerless rads that run a 3/4" supply and return in the outer hallways. There are convectors in the rooms of most of these buildings. High pressure (powerplant on Brookline Ave.) to medium pressure(mains in the basements) to low pressure(at the boiler room). I told him if they ever changeover give em to me!0 -
in order to be historically accurate
Alan, you should re-take your picture in a similar outfit to accurately replicate history(G).
I can remember repairing one of those many, many years ago in a Doctor's home. The faucet washer had to be custom cut because it was so large in diameter.
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You really want to see me like that?? LOL
I would scare folks away
Your friend in the industry,
Alan R. Mercurio
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