Museum > Pump Shower
While
not strictly a water heater, this is fun nonetheless. This portable
pump shower was probably brought to the United States in the 1850s
by a British subject who was (rightfully) uncertain of being able
to find bathing facilities here.
The
way it worked was:
- Fill the lower tub about halfway with warm water.
- Pump the water up to the overhead tank with the built-in pump.
- Step in shower and pull chain. This lifts a lead weight and produces
a very nice shower as long as you hold the chain.
- If you run out of water, pump up the slightly dirty water and
repeat. (Heating water was a REAL chore!)
- Next in line for bathing gets to go, using the same water. And
on down the line.
- When
all finished, open the lead tap on the side and operate the pump.
This puts the dirty water into a bucket for disposal.
In
England, there were special oilskin cone-shaped hats for kids to
prevent their hair from getting wet. Imagine!
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