Shower

Object Name:

Shower

Object ID:

1981.023.08

Creator:

Aiken, Jonas B.Inventor

Place of Origin:

Franklin, NH

Date:

1873

Description:

Shower bath model, invented by Jonas B. Aiken, Franklin, NH, 1873. Wooden frame with nickel-plated metal water tank. Wood is stained brown with glossy varnish.
A. Wooden back assembly consisting of two vertical supports and one horizontal member. 14.5" high x 19.5" wide. Horizontal piece has hand-painted gold lettering outlined in black: "SHOWER-BATH. J.B. AIKEN." Right-hand vertical support has similar lettering on back: "MARCH / 15th 1873". Two steel slots for holding water tank support.
B. Horizontal wooden tank support with rounded front. 20" wide x 14" deep x 0.75" thick. Oval cutout, 11.75" x 8.5", in center, for holding water tank. Two cast steel brackets that fit into slots on back assembly. 13 wire loops around edge, presumably for holding curtain.
C. Water tank, nickel-plated metal, with horizontal divider. Open top, concave bottom. Oval shape, 11.75"wide x 8.5" deep x 5.5" high. Engraved on front in script, "J. B. Aiken / March 15th 1873". Small holes around bottom edge. Vertical tube in top section. Hole in center of divider, with metal stopper and cord.

Material:

Wood
Metal

Dimensions:

H-14.5 W-20 D-14.75 inches

Credit Line:

Gift of Rogers B. Johnson

People:

Aiken, Jonas B.

Subjects:

Inventions, Health & hygiene facilities, Showers