The Victorians were shocked—literally and figuratively—when they discovered the latest health craze: electric bathing! Imagine stepping into a tub, not filled with warm water, but with the tingly promise of electricity coursing through it. Yep, in the late 19th century, folks were convinced that a nice "jolt" was just what the doctor ordered.

Electric baths became all the rage as Victorians sought the miraculous powers of this new and mysterious force. Inventors promised that exposing the body to electric currents would cure everything from depression to rheumatism, and even boost your vitality. Who needed vitamins when you could just zap your way to health? Health spas and salons across England advertised these special baths, where clients could either sit in a metal tub that delivered mild electric shocks or use electric belts and brushes to buzz the ailments away. It was like a 19th-century spa day—minus the bubbles and plus a little lightning!

Now, don’t worry, it wasn’t like dropping a toaster in your bathtub (although, yikes!). The electricity was relatively low-voltage—just enough for a gentle buzz, leaving you with tingling skin and a sense of modern wonder. And it wasn’t just your health these electric baths promised to improve; they were also marketed as a way to enhance one’s beauty. They said that a good electric soak would make your skin glow, your hair grow, and keep you looking as fresh as a daisy. Shocking your way to radiance? Sign the Victorians up!

Electric bathing cabinets soon followed, which looked like a cross between a wardrobe and a sci-fi invention. You’d step inside, and voilà—you’d be treated to an electrifying experience from head to toe. The Victorians were, quite literally, "amped" about new technology.

Though today we might find it hard to believe that zapping yourself in a tub seemed like a good idea, the Victorians were all about innovation and weren’t afraid to get a little experimental—even if it meant their relaxation time involved some voltage.