Tis is another case of the inventor not getting the credit he deserved. Believe me, this guy deserves thanks from all of us!
Flush Toilet—Alexander Cumming
Credited To Thomas Crapper
Photo credit: theplumber.com
It could be argued that the first flush toilet was created far before British inventor Alexander Cumming debuted his device in 1775. As far back as 1596, fellow Brit Sir John Harington is known to have produced a working model, which he installed for Queen Elizabeth.
This model left a lot to be desired. It required a great deal of water, and society lacked the infrastructure to properly deal with waste disposal. Cumming’s improved version was the first to feature the S-pipe, which prevented waste (and smell) from backing up and is still a feature of the modern design.
Thomas Crapper merely improved upon this with a modified tank mechanism. He didn’t market his devices—which are the reason that some refer to toilets as “the crapper” to this day—until the late 1800s.
I got this information from the folks over at Listverse. A true case of giving credit where credit is dur, ya know?
Coffee out on the patio this morning. A few showers may come our way!
