The History Behind The Modern Toilet
It is easy to take for granted the marvel of modern day flushing. It is also unfathomable to think how people once upon a time did live in very unsanitary conditions without this precious device. In Rome people used to do their 'business' in public settings, often whilst discussing politics. Modern day plumbing truly has changed the world that we live in.
When people think of the inventor of the toilet, the first name that usually springs to mind is that of Sir Thomas Crapper. Indeed Mr Crapper himself was immensely influential in the progression of the toilet, however he was not the innovator of it. There were numerous faults with the toilet system, and Sir Thomas Crapper was responsible for fixing many of these that had the Victorians perplexed for many years. The main cause of grief for many of the Victorians was how to build a flushing water closet that would efficiently and sanitarily remove waste without allowing dangerous toxins to enter.
In the year of 1596, Sir John Harrington had a flushing water closet designed for Queen Elizabeth 1st. However the flushing water closet did not become popular with the rest of society as it was seen more as a novelty, and not one for much practical use. The problem of how to dispose waste remained. It was only when disease started spreading in 1832 when people started to make the connection between the unsanitary conditions they were living in and the spreading of disease.
Alexander Cummings designed a toilet in 1775, in which the water supply was brought low into the bowl, and some water remained after each flush. This water closet was made of copper. Although this was a vast improvement, there were some fundamental flaws in the system. For instance, the seal at the bottom of the toilet leaked and this was continually emitting sewer gases into the home. People were largely unaware at the time how toxic these gases could be.
Sir Thomas Crapper did his part in renovating the toilet system. As a plumber he opened up his shop in 1861 and named it ''The Marlboro Works of Thomas Crapper & Company'. Crapper continuously began testing toilets so that his experience increased and he was able to detect flaws more easily. He had a 250-gallon water tank installed on the roof of his building. Some of the improvements he is known for include inventing a pull-chain system for powerful flushing, and an air tight seal between the toilet and the floor. In addition, he patented several venting systems for venting the sewer gas by way of a pipe through the roof.
So there is an important lesson to be learned here. Next time you feel the need to go to the toilet, do take a few moments to marvel at its invention, and the many hurdles and obstacles it's inventors and plumbers had to go through in order for us to have our lives made much easier.
When people think of the inventor of the toilet, the first name that usually springs to mind is that of Sir Thomas Crapper. Indeed Mr Crapper himself was immensely influential in the progression of the toilet, however he was not the innovator of it. There were numerous faults with the toilet system, and Sir Thomas Crapper was responsible for fixing many of these that had the Victorians perplexed for many years. The main cause of grief for many of the Victorians was how to build a flushing water closet that would efficiently and sanitarily remove waste without allowing dangerous toxins to enter.
In the year of 1596, Sir John Harrington had a flushing water closet designed for Queen Elizabeth 1st. However the flushing water closet did not become popular with the rest of society as it was seen more as a novelty, and not one for much practical use. The problem of how to dispose waste remained. It was only when disease started spreading in 1832 when people started to make the connection between the unsanitary conditions they were living in and the spreading of disease.
Alexander Cummings designed a toilet in 1775, in which the water supply was brought low into the bowl, and some water remained after each flush. This water closet was made of copper. Although this was a vast improvement, there were some fundamental flaws in the system. For instance, the seal at the bottom of the toilet leaked and this was continually emitting sewer gases into the home. People were largely unaware at the time how toxic these gases could be.
Sir Thomas Crapper did his part in renovating the toilet system. As a plumber he opened up his shop in 1861 and named it ''The Marlboro Works of Thomas Crapper & Company'. Crapper continuously began testing toilets so that his experience increased and he was able to detect flaws more easily. He had a 250-gallon water tank installed on the roof of his building. Some of the improvements he is known for include inventing a pull-chain system for powerful flushing, and an air tight seal between the toilet and the floor. In addition, he patented several venting systems for venting the sewer gas by way of a pipe through the roof.
So there is an important lesson to be learned here. Next time you feel the need to go to the toilet, do take a few moments to marvel at its invention, and the many hurdles and obstacles it's inventors and plumbers had to go through in order for us to have our lives made much easier.
