What Were Victorian Bathing Machines?
AncientPages.com - Starting in the 1750s, beaches were suddenly filled with so-called bathing machines. These were basically wooden changing booths, with wheels and wooden steps that led inside.
During the Victorian era of British history, a period associated with Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death, on 22 January 1901 plenty of bathing machines were designed to prevent anyone from seeing a woman in her swimsuit before she slipped into the waves.
These bathing machines were invented in times when most people still swam naked. Even when early forms of swimwear did start being introduced, society conveniently decided that a 'proper woman' should not be seen on the beach in her bathing suit.
So, something had to be done and bathing machines seemed like a perfect solution. Once the woman got inside the bathing machine she must change into a swimsuit. Then, the four-wheeled box would be rolled out to sea, usually by horse or sometimes human power.
Once the machine plunged far enough out into the ocean waves, the woman could quickly dive off the float.
On some beaches, inexperienced swimmers were offered the service of a "dipper", a strong person of the same sex who would escort the bather out to sea in the cart and essentially push them into the water and yank them out when they were done.
When legal segregation of bathing areas in Britain ended in 1901 and it finally became acceptable for both genders to bathe together, it was the beginning of the end for the bathing machine.
By the 1920s bathing machine ceased to be used. Yet, even today, you can sometimes see bathing machines on the beach.
Copyright © AncientPages.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission of AncientPages.com
More From Ancient Pages
-
Advanced Ancient Knowledge Of Chemistry – From Chrome Plating To Nanotubes
Ancient Technology | Jun 12, 2019
-
Mystery Of Prehistoric Gigantic Hill Figures Of England
Featured Stories | Sep 20, 2018
-
Hagar Qim: “Standing/Worshipping Stones” – Megalithic Complex In Malta Dated To 3600 – 3200 BC
Featured Stories | Feb 19, 2023
-
Vast Fortification Enclosing Walled Oasis Dating Back 4,000 years In North-Western Arabia – Unearthed
Archaeology | Jan 10, 2024
-
Reliefs And Engravings Of Celestial Bodies And A Zodiac On Walls And Ceilings Of Luxor’s Esna Temple
Archaeology | Oct 5, 2023
-
Lost Ancient Dragon City Of The Xiongnu Empire Discovered In Mongolia
Archaeology | Jul 22, 2020
-
The Great Stupa At Sanchi – Oldest Stone Structure In India
Featured Stories | Dec 27, 2015
-
Lincolnshire’s Prehistoric Henge And A Sacred Site Dating Back Hundreds Of Years
Archaeology | Apr 6, 2024
-
Fearsome Koa Warriors Fought For Spiritual Energy And Mana, The Life-Force
Featured Stories | Jul 22, 2019
-
1,500-Year-Old Christian Reliquary Found In An Unknown Church In Irschen, Austria
Archaeology | Jun 26, 2024
-
Mystery Of The Black Irish People: Who Were They?
Civilizations | May 24, 2016
-
Legend Of The Loretto Chapel Staircase – Unusual Helix-Shaped Spiral Construction
Featured Stories | Nov 1, 2018
-
India’s Mysterious Stonehenge: Prehistoric Complex Of Gigantic Standing Stones Of Willong Is An Enigma
Featured Stories | Jul 30, 2016
-
Dunstanburgh Castle: Underground Passageways And The Legend Of Sir Guy The Seeker
Featured Stories | Apr 5, 2016
-
The Hitra Man Lived In A Turbulent Time – Was He A Stone Age Warrior?
Archaeology | May 10, 2024
-
Unknown Ancient History Of Antarctica And It’s Lost Civilization – Secrets Beneath The Ice
Featured Stories | Sep 7, 2015
-
60-Meter Longhouse Discovered Near Viking Ship At Gjellestad, Norway
Archaeology | Dec 6, 2021
-
The Burnt City And Its Mysterious Prehistoric Inhabitants
Civilizations | Nov 17, 2014
-
Australia’s Two-Meter-Long And Oldest Known Rock Painting Of A Kangaroo – Revealed
News | Feb 23, 2021
-
Legendary Saraswati River Is Not A Legend – It Existed 4,000 Years Ago
Archaeology | Mar 18, 2017