Believe it or not, the one-piece, built-in bathtub is 100 years old, and as you can imagine, we here at Kohler are pretty excited.
So what exactly is a one-piece, built-in bath?
Well, in the early twentieth century, shoppers had two options: a freestanding bath and a built-in bath. Freestanding baths are the old, vintage-style tubs you commonly see with clawfeet. These are still a favorite for many.
Built-in bathtubs are just as they sound, built into the bathroom. These models are very common today; in fact, you probably have one in your home.
Believe it or not, this style of bathtub was a major breakthrough. 100 years ago, baths were cast in two separate parts: the tub itself and the exposed side or apron. The two parts were then fitted together by a plumber during the installation. This process was difficult, oftentimes messy and time-consuming.
Then, in 1911, a lightbulb moment happened in Kohler. The workers decided to cast the entire unit as a single piece. This new one-piece bathtub eliminated crevices, joints and seams and made installation easier on plumbers. The innovative new approach became a technical breakthrough that revolutionized industry production standards that are still in place today.
Kohler followed up quickly on this success by introducing the industry’s first one-piece bathroom sink and finally, the first one-piece kitchen sink.
So next time you’re soaking in your tub, light some candles, enjoy the seamless construction and wish a happy birthday to the oldest member of your home!
17 Comments
oh please let me order five of those sinks you used to have!!!!! PLEASE. JOANIE
I would love to have a reporduction of these posters. They would be a good look for my office.
These are precious ads….
I have been selling Kohler products for 22 years and remember when they published a Kohler Calender
with each month depicting a print of a retro ad. I wish I still had one of those calendars. Maybe that would be a good way to celebrate this anniversary. People still inquire about the 2 sided tubs shown here. Would make nice prints for customers or promotional items.
Love the simple design line on these tubs- and yes brings back memories of grandma’s house- posters would be a great idea! Maybe even a poster with Kohler tub designs through the years as well.
I’d like to get permission to use some of these prints on our website… they are simply adorable.
Ken
Surface Surgeon LLC
Hey Ken–this is Mark at Kohler. You can absolutely use these images on your website. We only ask that you attribute and link them back to Kohler. Feel free to link to this blog or our website: http://us.kohler.com. Let me know if you have any questions, and thanks for sharing!
I have a green built-in bath tub, green pedestal sink, and green toilet from the 1932 period. I love them.
would love to have one of those calendars???
These are Kohler products…..sorry.
i have the Devonshire collation it sure love it
thanks
mathies
Just look at the beauty of those old tubs! Why will you not respond to the need for those classic lines and the need for small built in tubs, ie: 28 – 30 x 60???
That check mark design reminds people or old true or false exams or the Verizon logo – neither of which is condusive to luxurious bathing.
I have the sink in the 1923 ad. Would love the matching toilet (energy efficient, of course). Any plans to reproduce?
It’s such fun to see these old ads – and see some of the Kohler history. Thanks for sharing them!
believe it or not I still have one of these! in my 1922 bathroom!
Yes, and the plumber said, “Thank you, those at Kohler, for making these fixtures TWICE as heavy as before…” lol… I love these old advertisments…..
Wow, 100 years…..That is Awesome!
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Oh my gosh, I don’t know exactly when my home was built. Ins. papers listed it as 1912, but a plasterer told me it was built prior to the 1900′s by the type of plaster on the walls. Even though it’s only 4 blocks from downtown, it wasn’t always part of the town. The area was incorporated into the town at a later date. It has 11 foot ceilings and lots & lots of windows that are 96 inches tall, try to buy curtains for that. It still has pipes in the walls from gas lights. It is also obvious the bathroom was added later by just building 2 walls in the corner of another room. I have always loved the tube. It is so comfortable to relax in. I am wanting to get it refinished vs replacing as nothing holds heat like cast iron. The color add with the little child & mom’s reflection in the mirror is the exact design of our tub with the left drain apron. The outside rolling sides matches mine perfect & the end corner of my tub is stamped KOHLER & under that is USA. I would love more info on when that design style was manufactured & it’s original cost. All I can say is WOW.
Ginger