The Evolution of The Pool


Since ancient times, humans have sought out pools of water for bathing, cleaning, exercising and general enjoyment. The earliest pools were natural pools like hot springs, ponds and other natural bodies of water. But as humans developed greater technological skills and construction tools, they began to create pools rather than relying on nature to provide them.

The first man-made pool is widely considered to be the Great Bath in Mohenjo-Daro, Pakistan. The pool is large, measuring 39 feet by 23 feet, and is constructed out of bricks that have been coated with a tar sealant to keep the water from seeping out into the surrounding earth. But while many people haven't heard of the Great Bath, most people are familiar with the first famous pool-soakers: the Romans. The Romans utilized their technical skills to create baths all around ancient Rome. Romans went to the baths to soak, bathe and socialize, creating the model for the bath-house that has endured throughout history ever since.

Pools came to the United States in the form of a new kind of public bathing tradition. During the 1930s, the United States directed lots of money toward public programs to fund construction that would create jobs and help bring citizens together during tough Depression-era times. The Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps were two such programs, and they built public pools around existing natural water sources in places like Austin, Texas and Balmorhea, Texas. The first pool built by the Works Progress Administration was Deep Eddy Pool in Austin. These public pools were constructed from concrete and allowed natural water sources to enter and flow out of the pool, keeping the pools clean and fresh without chemicals.

Once the Depression was over and prosperity began to boom in the United States, American families began to desire pools to be built in their own backyards. Due to all the new mid-century housing developments cropping up all over the country during the 1950s, there was plenty of opportunity for builders to add pools to backyards as an extra selling feature for new homes. This was the era of the kidney-shaped concrete-walled pool, which homeowners liked because it replicated the natural form of a pond while still maintaining clean and simple lines.

In recent years, new construction materials for pools have become popular as pool development has become more sophisticated. Homeowners in Las Vegas in 2017 can choose from the old style of concrete pools or the new style of fiberglass pools. Many homeowners prefer to install fiberglass pools for a variety of reasons. For one, they can come pre-shaped from the factory, so they cost less to install, and they have fewer maintenance costs over time than concrete pools, which require resurfacing and algae control. Fiberglass pools also have smoother sides that are less rough on children's feet than concrete.

Whichever pool you decide to install in your home in Las Vegas, you now know that you are taking part in an ancient tradition that humans have enjoyed for centuries. Pools have provided relaxation, refreshment and socialization opportunities to cultures across the globe. Now you can take part in the ancient tradition by installing your own pool from Renaissance Pools in your Las Vegas home!