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As everybody knows Plato, one of the greatest Greek philosophers and Hypocrites, the most famous doctor from classic antiquity praised the blessing of a cold and warm sea bath. Likewise the old Indians appreciated the healing power of the sea water and sea air over three thousand years ago, whereas Goethe in the 18th century could still call bathing in public "foolish behaviour of enthusiasts for the natural state".
Way into the 19th century public bathing was generally considered (as) offensive, scandalous or even indecent according to reports from that time. People did not even think about "bathing costumes" in the time, when they started bathing in the sea, they simply went into the water with all their clothes on! The following story, as example, is a historic fact: as the Duchess of Berrie made bathing in public in the sea resort Dieppe in the North of France socially acceptable in 1817, she strode into the waves "in full dress". The bath director accompanied the noble lady in dress suit, with top hat and white gloves up to his knees into the water, whereas this epochal event was celebrated by firing a salute.
To avoid direct contact with the incredibly wet element, it was controlled by ropes and cables that frightened gentlemen could hold on to, in case of emergency and the water was also kept away from the body by "high necked cotton suits". Bath attendants and assisting girls helped guests in conquering the wet element.
Then the old Greek with their high culture were "more natural", about whom we learned at school that they - like the hero Homer - ran into the brine while shouting "Thalatta! Thalatta! ("The sea! The sea") And they did not leave the impression that they needed ropes or cables to hang on to. Good thing, that fashion in the meantime has changed drastically!
Translation of an excerpt of the "Inselglocke" 1962
By the way: Nearly a hundred years after the first mobile beach cabins had been installed on the island of Norderney in 1797, the assembly of all town council members on Baltrum in 1891 - with 46 in favour and 28 against - promulgated the following by-law under protocol number 45 with regards to mobile cabins on the beach:
- Bathing and swimming on Baltrum is only permitted with the aid of a mobile beach cabin.
- Any offence will result in a fine of 9 Marks and in case of insolvency in appropriate custody.
Together with protocol number 46 the assembly announced the following: "The price for the use of a mobile beach cabin is for the season for an adult 1 Mark, for a school child 50 Pfennige."
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