The bell bottom era offered unprecedented updates in the bath space.

By Nick Tamarin

From Vietnam to Watergate and from disco to punk, the 1970s witnessed a period of profound change in all aspects of life. Disruptions were seen in domestic environments, too — and in bath innovations, in particular, due to the energy crises experienced at the time. Accordingly, the ’70s bath evolution reflects a mix of practicality, luxury and society’s response to changing cultural and environmental attitudes. From hand dryers to water heaters, many of these transformations continue to influence bath design and technology today. Here are the most notable bath developments of the ’70s.

1. Hair Dryers

In the ’70s, hair dryers became a common feature in home baths — and in hotel baths, where they were wall-mounted versions. Up until then and since the 1920s, the development of the hair dryer was mainly focused on improving the wattage and superficial exterior, especially its material. One of the more important changes for the hair dryer was the switch from metal to lightweight plastic. The 1960s saw the introduction of better electrical motors and the improvement of those plastics, both of which led, to their popularity a decade later. In the ’70s, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission finally set up guidelines that hair dryers had to meet to be considered safe enough to manufacture.

2. Electric Towel Warmers

Towel warmers designed to run on electricity became more common in the ’70s. Cast-iron radiators were first introduced for use in homes at the end of the 1800s, and towel radiators were primarily used for functional purposes during this era, with aesthetics being a minor concern. Then, steel radiators became popular in the mid-twentieth century because of their lighter weight and durability, as well as the fact that they were more aesthetically pleasing and could match bath designs. In the ’70s, towel radiators evolved from simple pipe designs to more elaborate designs with more efficient heating systems.These simple pipe designs were effective enough to be used as the primary heating source for small baths.

3. Hand Dryers

While hand dryers themselves were not new, the ’70s saw improvements in their design and sustainability. More compact and energy-efficient hand dryers became available, providing a useful alternative to paper towels. While early hand dryers were functional, they were loud and drying took nearly a minute. In the ’70s, the technology had improved to the point that McDonald’s installed warm-air hand dryers in all its U.S. restaurants.

4. Acrylic Tubs

The last year of the ’70s witnessed the booming popularity of acrylic tubs due to their light weight, durability and availability in a variety of shapes and sizes that contributed to more diverse and modern designs. In the 1960s, lightweight, inexpensive fiberglass tubs became the norm in the home. Then, in 1979, James R. Wheeler and his brother Richard adapted the acrylic used in outdoor spas — Spartech Plastics acrylic, state-of-the-art co-extruded durable acrylic — to produce a tub. That same year, and for the first time ever, a manufacturer expanded its acrylic offerings: what would eventually become the American Bath Factory started developing products made from acrylic, including whirlpools and a wide variety of pedestal, clawfoot and contemporary tubs.

5. Tankless Water Heaters

In the ’70s, when energy conservation became a hot topic across the globe, tankless water heaters became more widespread. These systems offered hot water on demand, were energy efficient and saved space because they eliminated the need for a large storage tank in the bath. In the 1960s, the modern tankless hot water heater as we know it was introduced. This type of water heater, known as a heat exchanger, heats the water within it using copper or brass coils that are also inside the heater. The heated circulation system was then introduced in the ’70s, providing pre-heated water immediately when needed throughout the home — which is what led to the popularity of tankless water heaters in the decade.