The electric shower is one of Brazil’s most beloved – and most feared – inventions. Who hasn’t been afraid of getting a shock when taking a relaxing bath? Despite being a recurring feature in our daily lives, few know a curious fact: it was invented by one of our countrymen, in the interior of São Paulo.
In other words, this traditional device, which is found in practically every bathroom in the country, exists thanks to a mind from São Paulo. So, it’ s worth learning about the saga of the electric shower if you love learning about the secrets of São Paulo!
Who invented the electric shower?
It all began in the 1930s, in the city of Jaú, 297 kilometers from the capital. At the time, self-taught inventor Francisco Canhos was looking for a way to help his father, who suffered from rheumatism and needed to take hot baths frequently.
Until then, hot water could only be heated by gas or wood, two expensive options that were not very accessible to the population. Canhos then decided to dismantle an electric iron and study its interior. He discovered that the iron was heated by a heating element and decided to imitate the process.
Francisco Canhos had no academic training, but he loved inventions. So he put the heating element inside the pipe and was able to have instant hot water – thus creating the first electric shower. As well as helping his sick father, Canhos decided to sell his creation door-to-door in Jaú. The device soon became popular, gaining momentum throughout Brazil.
Is it possible to get shocked while showering?
Have you ever heard that electric showers are dangerous? Well, if we’re talking about the first shower models, from the 1930s, the statement is absolutely correct. After all, they had little protection against shocks and a simple shower could end very badly.
This created a stigma around the invention, which has led to hundreds of memes on social media. But it’s important to note that, today, the invention has evolved to become as safe as blenders or hairdryers, for example.
This is due to the new shielding systems, special plastic components and devices that isolate the electric current. But for everything to work properly, you need to follow all the manufacturer’s recommendations when installing the electric shower, right?
Check out the video below from the Manual do Mundo channel and get a better understanding of how Brazil’s most beloved São Paulo invention works: