Ever wondered where swimming started? If you grew up with a pool, swimming has probably been a part of your life since you can remember! Here is a look at some different swimming pools over the years
Ancient Swimming Pools
Swimming has long been heralded as something that simply must be learned as a life skill. The
“Great Bath” in Mohenjo-Daro (Pakistan) is believed to be the oldest pool in existence today, being dug sometime in 3rd millennium BC. From as early on as 2500 BC, Grecians have been creating swimming pools as a safe area where young boys and men could learn to swim and train for military exercises and nautical games. These boys were going for swims in some chilly waters, however, as the first heated swimming pool wasn’t created until 1st century BC by Rome’s first “patron of the arts”, Gaius Maecenas.
Swimming Pool Innovation
But though pools have been around for thousands of years, it wasn’t until after the 1896 Olympic Games that the swimming pool’s popularity began to spread around the globe. England became home to several pools and swim clubs (such as the Temple Cowley Pool) and the Racquet Club of Philadelphia in the United States built one of the very first above-ground swimming pools.
Interest in swimming pools and competitive swimming continued to grow after World War I, with many Hollywood films then beginning to build and include pools in the backyards of luxurious homes. As a result, a private residential pool in one’s backyard quickly became a status symbol.
Modern Swimming Pools
Today, there are millions of pools in the backyards and homes of many Americans. According to the International Aquatic Foundation, the USA is home to more than 4.5 million in-ground pools and over 3.5 million above ground pools (International Aquatic Foundation, 2004). These pools are no longer just your standard rectangular lap pools, either. Pool designers have gotten extremely creative with the different materials used for pools (such as fibreglass and vinyl), as well as the design of the pool itself. A number of different water and lighting features can be added to almost any pool, such as beach entryways, waterfalls, faux rock grottos and even televisions and center-island fire pits. No longer are pools simply a way to get some exercise – they can become a homeowners very own personalized piece of paradise.
Shasta Pools is a Phoenix pool builder who provides a variety of services including swimming pool remodeling, commercial pool building, and pool service and repair. Since its establishment in 1967, Shasta has helped over 80,000 families realize their dream of pool ownership. By providing exceptional value, quality craftsmanship and superior customer service, the Shasta team continues to fulfill the corporate mission of astonishing and delighting their customers and exceeding expectations. You can learn more about Shasta Pools & Spas by visiting them online, or by connecting with them on Facebook or Twitter.
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