Kitchen and Bath History
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The First Electric Range
1910
First Domestic Refrigerator
1925
Two Door Refrigerator Freezer
1947
The First Microwave Oven
1946
Push Button Cooking
1950’s
First Automatic Dishwasher
1954
Amana Radar Range
1967
Side By Side w/H20
1969
Baths
Bathroom History
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The earliest bathrooms belonged to
the wealthy (early 19th Century)
By mid 19th Century finer homes were
built with separate bathrooms
Running hot and cold water will still
considered a luxury
Bathroom History
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Early 20th Century – The middle class
started to get a simple hygienic
bathroom.
The early bath contained three
standard fixtures
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Toilet
Sink
Bathtub/Shower
Bathroom History
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In rural areas less than 50% had
bathrooms
The National Plumbing Code was
established in 1951
Today we use the Oregon Specialty
Plumbing Code
Bathroom History
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The first standards/regulations were
established in 1934
In 1940 the Housing Census found that only
50.9% of all US houses had a bath with a
flush toilet
By the 1950’s 85% of urban homes had
running hot and cold water
92% had a flush toilet
89% had a bathtub or shower
Bathroom History
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1900’s
Emphasis was on sanitation and
hygiene, bathrooms had an
“Antiseptic” look
Claw Foot Tubs
Cabinetry was not popular
Lighting was achieved with a single
shadeless bulb in the center of the
room
Bathroom History
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1920’s
Sanitary plumbing was becoming widespread so
more attention was turned to aesthetics
The shower became common
The closed in rectangular porcelain tub replaced the
clawfoot
Pedestal sinks and console sinks with legs became
popular
Porcelain made colors possible
Center ceiling lamp with milk-glass diffusers
Dresser tables
Nickel used as faucet finish
Bathroom History
1930’s
• Bathrooms began to resemble the rest of
the house
• Small sinks called dental lavatories
• Sinks supported by a single post
• Leak-proof, one-piece showers were
developed
• Art and Crafts movement introduced more
color
Dressing
Dental Lav.
Table
Closed
Rectangular
Tub
Single post
Add Lavette Slide
Bathroom History
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1940’s
More colors
Dental Lavatory disappeared
The bench bathtub was introduced
Laminates, mirrored walls, glass counters and
cork floors
• Chrome replaced nickel
• Linoleum floors
• Plastic appeared in fixtures 
• Small appliances like hair dryers
Add page 26 scan
Bathroom History
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1950’s
Lavatory cabinets were common
The “Powder Room” idea developed
Ceiling fixtures with a light, fan and heater.
Fiberglass tubs were introduced
Pink and Gray were popular colors
Bathroom History
1960’s
• The bath became a place of relaxation
• Bold colors emerged – orange, yellow
“Avocado Green” and “Harvest Gold”
• The second bathroom became standard
• The California hot tub and backyard pools
became popular
Bathroom History
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1970’s
Multi-person tubs & hydro massage tubs
New colors – sand, gray and black
The double lavatory
Nostalgic baths
Theme design – patriotic, nautical
Solid surface countertops
Bathroom History
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1980’s & 90’s
Bathrooms begin to increase in size
Softer pastel colors
Recessed down lighting
Baths pared up with the exercise rooms
His and her spaces
1.6 gallon/flush toilets
Bathroom History
Present
Ofuro Soaking Tub