The simple state of Floating in warm salt water is possibly the most relaxing experience on Earth.

Floating and swimming are as old as our species, but floating in a floatation therapy tank with warm Epsom salts was invented by John Lilly in about 1964. He was interested in meditation and in the physiology and psychology of the meditative state when he started working on the effects of sensory deprivation. He discovered that his experimental subjects, his students, enjoyed the experience of floating and reached levels of relaxation only seen in deep meditation. In fact within a few minutes a floating person can reach a depth of relaxation which takes many years to achieve by classical meditation techniques.

NASA employed floatation to simulate weightlessness and isolation for space research while amateurs built float tanks as news of Lilly's work spread. Floating is a natural and healthy way to relax.

Several commercial floatation therapy tanks were developed in the late 20th century. These floatation therapy tanks established the basic format of a closed chamber with about 25 cm (10 inches) of skin temperature Epsom salts solution. Epsom Salt is used because it raises the density of the water, making it easy to float, and because it has a silky feel which is very good for the skin. Epsom salt is very different from sea salt (brine) in this respect. The enclosed chamber provides a cozy space which is warm, private, quiet and dark. These early floatation therapy tanks have a rather functional boxy look to them from the outside, which is why when Colin Stanwell-Smith, an award winning designer and Chartered Engineer, decided to design a new floatation therapy tank from the ground up; he introduced an organic, curvaceous, friendly appearance.

Meanwhile, another water product, the spa or whirlpool bath, became very popular, tens of thousands are made annually, and the rare incidence of infectious organisms became an issue. In the Floataway range of floatation therapy tanks the water is filtered and disinfected by either chlorine or hydrogen peroxide. The inside skin is formed from continuous curves of highly polished plastic resin. The filter system operates between each float to maintain a clean hygienic environment. Chlorine is the most effective way to quickly kill all infectious organisms, but bromine or hydrogen peroxide with a UV filter can also be used.

For commercial operators of floatation therapy tanks, the main issue is to get new customers. Once someone tries floating they always enjoy it and become convinced of the benefits even on the first trial. Many of the floatation therapy tanks before the Floataway frightened new customers who commonly worry about claustrophobia, and were intimidated by the tomb-like appearance. The Floataway Tranquility has a full length door, styled like a dolphin, and is designed to be able to operate with the door open. It is very easy to step inside, the sides form continuous hand holds. The door is motorised so that once inside, the user can just press an air-coupled button to close it. The Skylark is a lower cost version with a clever couterbalanced door and the Floataround is a full standing height float room. These features, the special filtration system and the smooth friendly shapes are all unique features of the Floataway floatation therapy tanks, making them the most beautiful floatation tanks in the world.

The Floataway tank has changed the face of floating and has become the most popular float tank in the world. Floataway's Tranquility float tank won the International Floatation Federation Award for it's contribution to floating in 2004