Ah, summer is finally here! Unfortunately, so are the sweltering heat waves (thanks to El Niño), glaring sun rays, and ongoing struggle to keep track of your water intake via your fitness tracker. Doesn’t it make you wonder how anyone could have endured the heat without the luxuries of modern technology?
Well, the truth is many people from the past kept cool in a straightforward way: they sweated like crazy and fanned themselves. However, that wasn’t enough to prevent them from coming up with (somewhat) better ideas.
Looking into the past, we found three innovative and interesting ways people kept themselves cool.
1.Men wore bustles
During the mid-1800s, it was the norm for women to dress in beautiful and elaborate dresses that often required the use of a Victorian-style bustle. If it sounds unfamiliar, a quick Google search of mid-1800s women’s fashion would reveal the iconic raised backside that’s synonymous with the time. The look was made possible by a wicker frame that raised the fabric. After its resurgence into American fashion in the late 1800s, and innovations brought from Asia, some men adopted the style (what they called the wicker skeleton) to their entire bodies. The bustle offered much needed relief from their heavy, clinging clothing during the hot weather.
2.The Romans circulated water in their walls
Not surprisingly, the Romans were quite innovative in controlling their in-house temperatures. Having built the first sophisticated long-distance aqueduct system, they used it to circulate cool water through their walls! It was an ingenious way to offer relief during the hot Mediterranean weather. As experts in insulation, we know all too well how important it is to keep the walls of your home cool to keep you comfortable and of course, save you money.
3.Mind over matter
In the early 1900s, the air conditioner was already on its way to becoming a household item. But prior to that, it was common for people to seek advice from the local newspaper on how to overcome the unrelenting heat. Published in the Washington Herald in 1910, the Optimists Club features some word of advice on the subject: “Fighting the heat is very bad; you should simply let it do its worst and calmly ignore it.” Mind over matter, right?
Luckily, we don’t have to worry about going to extremes to escape the heat. If you feel like you’re having trouble getting some relief by modern means, contact us today to schedule aFREE in-home consultation!
