These bathing machines were very popular in England at 18th and 19th centuries. They allowed people to change out of their usual clothes into swimwear and were directly lowered into the water. This was part of a beach etiquette and served especially for women not to be seen by men in ‘improper clothing.’ Because in those days, many beaches of Europe were gender-segregated with women required to wear shapeless bathing suits to preserve a sense of modesty.

Photography was still new during the reign of Queen Victoria, and participants had to sit motionless for a while before a photo could be taken. Strangely, the mothers had to drape sheets over their heads for the photos, making for extremely weird portraits of their kids.