The First Swimming Pools
Mon, Jan 23rd, 2023
Putting on your bathing suit and jumping in the swimming pool for most pool owners has become second nature. You probably don't really think about who invented swimming pools or where the first swimming pool was located. What about chlorine use to keep swimming pools safe? Who came up with that idea?
Where Was the First Swimming Pool Located?
It is interesting when you research facts about the origins of the swimming pool. As the story goes, the first swimming pool was created about 5,000 years ago in the ancient city of Mohenjo-Daro located in the Indus Valley region. It was the size of an Olympic-sized swimming pool and the purpose of the pool was mainly religious rituals and ceremonies. The next oldest known swimming pool is located at the Great Bath complex in Pakistan which dates back to 2200 BC. This particular body of water is still intact and has steps that lead down into the center where it is believed people would go to purify themselves as part of their religious practice.
The Modern-Day Swimming Pool
It wasn't until the 19th century that the invention of the modern swimming pool started to come together. The man credited with inventing the swimming pool was William Le Roy who was an engineer and inventor. He built the very first modern-day swimming pool in the 1800s, complete with a filtration system. The pool was located in the Royal Palace of Aranjuez near Madrid and the construction of the palace took over 8 years to complete!
When Did Swimming Pools Become Popular?
The popularity of swimming pools didn't really take off until the 20th century when the concept of leisurely recreation started becoming more mainstream. It wasn't until the 1950s that outdoor and indoor swimming pools could be found all around the world, thanks to the invention of chlorine used for sanitation and filtration systems that made them safer for people to use.
Who Invented Using Chlorine in Swimming Pools?
The person who invented chlorine to use in swimming pools was the scientist and physician Carl von Linde who published the idea of the chlorination process in the 1870s. By the 1900s, the chlorination process became widely adopted by many public pools.
So, if you find yourself taking a dip in the pool this season, take a minute to appreciate how far swimming pools have come from the days of ancient civilizations! For swimming pool maintenance, or equipment maintenance and installation like a pool heater, saltwater system, pool pump, LED lighting or other equipment. Contact Sweetwater Pool Service Today!