A "Stand Up Bath"

I am a subscriber to "Handyman" a magazine about woodworking, tools, home repair, etc.

In today's email from Handyman, was the following article.
http://www.handymanclub.com/Projects/Project.aspx?id=34154

Among the therapeutic showers of the late 1800s was a needle shower (see photo) by the J.L. Mott Iron Works. This precursor of today's multiple-head spa showers looked like a cylindrical ribcage, enveloping the bather with pipes, steam and sprays of water from every direction.

There is a photo in that article that I thought all of you voyagers into the past would enjoy. While not as momentous as saying the computer really started with the Babbitch Difference engine, here we have a wonderful example of Today's luxuries being invented and in use in the Victorian age.

http://www.handymanclub.com/Projects/Project.aspx?id=34154

While I'm sure it provided an enjoyable bathing experience, that thing looks a bit too much like an implement of torture for my taste. xD Rather like a poorly-constructed iron maiden.

This appears to be very closely related to the type of shower one saw advertised in the days of the housing boom, when it seemed everyone and their half-brother's cousin twice removed's third cousin's uncle by marrage was remodeling their house.

Actually, up close these are really great!

If anyone is in possession of far more dollars than sense, there is one for sale at a most steamy place - a secret Emporium of Wonders I have found! - it is in Baltimore, an architectural salvage place known as Second Chance. http://www.secondchanceinc.org/

I am giving away one of my treasured secret sources here. Make the most of it!