Today, we all know jacuzzis as warm, relaxing tubs with massaging jets, right? In fact, Jacuzzi is a brand founded by an Italian family in the early 20th century. Thanks to its pioneering role in the industry, the name "Jacuzzi" has become synonymous with an entire category of whirlpool bathtubs.
At the beginning of the 1900s, the Jacuzzi family, consisting of seven brothers and six sisters, emigrated from the small town of Casarsa della Delizia in northern Italy to the United States. Initially working in the aviation and agricultural machinery industries, the family became known for their propeller-driven aircraft designs in the 1920s and played an active role in manufacturing aircraft and parts used during World War I. However, economic difficulties and the rapid changes in the aviation industry, along with the tragic loss of some family members in a plane crash, led them to explore other fields of production. As a result, they began designing and manufacturing large-scale fans, heat exchangers, and wind turbines, as well as water pumps developed by one of the brothers, Rachele Jacuzzi.
By the 1940s, Candido Jacuzzi’s son, Ken, was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Since access to hydrotherapy treatments was extremely limited, Candido researched existing technologies and developed the first Jacuzzi design, the portable J-300 device. This pump could be placed inside a regular bathtub, creating a therapeutic effect by circulating the water. When Ken’s doctor suggested that such a device could benefit many people suffering from similar conditions, the Jacuzzi family began working on refining and commercializing the idea.
In 1956, Candido and his brothers launched the portable hydrotherapy pump under the name J-300. The device gained significant interest, particularly among physical therapy centers and patients. In 1968, Roy Jacuzzi, another member of the family, invented and patented the first modern whirlpool bathtub with integrated water jets. Thanks to its appearance on TV programs and its widespread adoption in major sports clubs, the invention quickly became popular not only in the healthcare industry but also as a luxurious relaxation product. With the rise of spa culture in the 1970s, the Jacuzzi brand became an essential feature of luxury bathrooms and wellness centers worldwide.