Every great story starts with a dream. The Jacuzzi story began in 1907 when Francesco, Rachele and Valeriano dreamed of a better future and went to seek their fortunes in America. They left their father, mother and 10 other brothers and sisters behind them in the big house in the Friuli countryside. The 20th century had just begun, with all its contradictions, opportunities and unstoppable drive towards technological discovery. Within a few years, their brothers Gelindo, Candido, Giocondo and Giuseppe came to join them and together they began an extraordinary story.
They founded Jacuzzi Bros in 1915 and began to achieve their first successes with their inventions, first and foremost a new propeller design adopted by the US air force. Hard work, tenacity and creativity were the key values that they shared, alongside extraordinary inventiveness. They combined their talents effectively, practically and boldly to make all their ideas a reality one after another in a way that was truly extraordinary.
Rachele, the oldest Jacuzzi brother, only completed basic schooling and a few months of specialisation at an aeronautical school in Milan. However, this was enough for him to become a self-taught aeronautical engineer and a great inventor. An ingenious, quick man with a lively mind, once he had started to produce propellers with his brothers, he wanted to be able to build aeroplanes. In 1920, the Jacuzzi dream took off into the skies of California: the seven brothers had laid the foundations to achieve something really big.
The principle of the propeller has many applications, and Jacuzzi Brothers would experiment with them all in innovative ways. One of these applications was to change the world, but not yet. For the moment, they used it in an irrigation pump that was very successful among American farmers. They also devised Frostifugo, a powerful propeller that blew warm air over crops to prevent frosts.
At Jacuzzi Brothers, every idea followed on from the last in a creative and technological crescendo, although there was always a logical connection in terms of practical implementation. The extraordinary versatility of the Jacuzzi brothers meant that they registered more than 200 patents in little more than 5 years. Official recognition from the California Agricultural Association showed that they were not only ingenious, but also producing something useful for everyone – and they would continue to do so.
Madness? No, medical treatment. Here’s what happened: Ken Jacuzzi, Candido’s youngest son, had the symptoms of severe rheumatoid arthritis. It’s a progressive disease, leading to invalidity. Like any father, Candido was willing to do anything to cure his son. The doctors said that hydrotherapy sessions in proper centres could alleviate the pain and ease the motor difficulties. Candido had an idea: modify one of the agricultural pumps to transform it into a portable device for use in the bathtub. The experiment was a success: the J-300® pump produces a water jet that has the curative effects of hydrotherapy. It was the first whirlpool system ever created, changing Ken’s life as his father wanted – and not just his.
1968 was the year of a worldwide cultural revolution. A major revolution was about to occur at Jacuzzi too: Roy Jacuzzi decided to go back to his uncle’s invention and, thanks to a careful study of hydraulics, succeeded in designing a tub with a system of integrated whirlpool fittings to mix air and water in targeted jets. He called it Roman Bath in honour of the great thermal spa culture of the ancient Romans. This was the arrival of the first true whirlpool bath, and the first time that the Jacuzzi name was associated with the invention that would make it world-famous.
Roman Bath was a worldwide success. Jacuzzi Brothers became a major company producing whirlpool baths and the name of the Jacuzzi brothers became famous. After 60 years, they returned to Italy, back to Valvasone in Friuli where they came from. A stone’s throw away from the house where they were born, they founded the first European factory for whirlpool baths.
From Jacuzzi Europe came the first collection of all-Italian whirlpool baths.
Jacuzzi® invented the multifunction cubicle that combines a shower with whirlpool fittings and, with this, total wellness.
The units that combine the benefits of a whirlpool bath and the practicality of a shower arrived.
The development of the whirlpool brought all the benefits of an ancient tradition, and so the first Shiatsu whirlpool bath was created.
A great name in design joined Jacuzzi to create a collection of baths and shower cubicles using cutting-edge technology: Pininfarina put its name to the luxury version of the whirlpool.
Beauty is also wellness: Jacuzzi® has always paid close attention to the aesthetics of its products and invented a system for customising the top of the bathtubs with wood and other noble materials.
A new bathing concept came to life from a collaboration with the Milan IED (European Design Institute), interpreting the whirlpool in a young, dynamic way.
The concept of the Family spa was devised: Jacuzzi® brought together the characteristics of the professional outdoor mini swimming pool with those of a welcoming indoor whirlpool bath in a single system.
Jacuzzi® patented Aquasystem®: a new technology to customise whirlpool functions. Silence, Breathe, Renew or Dream? True luxury is being able to choose.
Jacuzzi®’s wellness philosophy, designer Carlo Urbinati’s creativity and a newly devised material came together in a new synthesis of coordinated bathroom fittings – with a design that continues to infinity.
Marco Piva gave expression to a modular bathroom concept for Jacuzzi® at the outer limits of design, where the aesthetics became a primary function of wellness.
Design by Kaluderovic & Condini, a spa which enhances the family spa range with new aesthetic brilliance.
Sauna, emotional shower, hammam. Jacuzzi® and designer Alberto Apostoli have created something that has never been devised before: a genuine wellness centre in just 8 m2. The standards for home wellness have been raised once again.
The first shower cubicle that “frames” total wellness has been created: Shiatsu whirlpool, Turkish bath and chromotherapy. Working with designer Mario Ferrarini, Jacuzzi® has confirmed its cutting-edge position in design and launched a product that is completely new in terms of both concept and aesthetics.
