Who Invented the Toilet?

The toilet is one of the most basic and essential features of modern day life. Many take its functioning and availability for granted, but it wasn’t always the case that toilets were commonplace. To understand the history and invention of toilets, let’s break things down into their component parts starting with the flusher, the bowl, and ending with the sewerage system.

Who Invented the Flush Toilet?

The first flushing toilet was invented between 1596-1598 by John Harington in England. He was actually a courtier to Queen Elizabeth I and called his invention the “Ajax”. Prior to this invention, toilets were merely a pit in the ground with a seat on top, or an earthenware pot which had to be manually removed and emptied.

Who Invented the Non-Flushing Toilet?

Although the flushing toilet is the most common type used today, prior to Harington’s invention, the non-flushing toilet was most popular. The oldest of these was discovered in 1936 in the Skara Brae village in Scotland, which dates back to 3100 BC. Additionally, similar systems were found in many ancient civilizations such as the Mediterranean, Ancient Greek, Hawaiian and Egyptian civilizations.

Who Invented the Toilet Bowl?

Although the flushing toilet is attributed to Harington, the toilet bowl actually predates him by many centuries. The earliest toilet bowls were invented in the 4th century BC. It was a ceramic bowl-like vase with a handle, called the Olynthus. These ceramic bowls were placed in a line and filled with water which ran off on one end to “flush” the bowl.

Who Invented the Sewer System?

The sewer system is the system responsible for transporting waste from homes and businesses to a treatment plant. The first system of sewers was built in Crete, around 2000 BC. This system used underground tunnels and canals to transport waste.

The modern sewer system was largely the result of Joseph Bazalgette and his “The Great Stink” of 1858. On this summer day, the summer heat and drought caused the noxious gases of the cesspools to be so strong they filled the city of London, leading to many people getting sick. A few months later, Bazalgette proposed a plan to create an integrated sewer system.

Who Invented the Plumbing System?

The plumbing system is what connects the toilet bowl to the sewer and is responsible for flushing the waste away. The first plumbing system was invented in the 4th century BC by a Greek engineer, Ctesibius, who used it to create a device for supplying water to his city’s public baths and fountains.

The modern plumbing system was largely the result of the Cast Iron Pipe Act of 1845. This Act allowed for the mass-production of cast iron pipes which were used for transporting water, waste and other liquids away from their sources. It also allowed for the creation of water closets, which are the ancestor of modern toilets.

How Have Toilets Evolved Since Inception?

Since the original invention of the flushing toilet in 1596, they have undergone various iterations and updates. Here we’ll explore some of the more major developments in toilet technology:

  • The S-Bend – The s-bend was a “trap” device used to prevent smells and gas from the sewers entering the home. It was first patented by Alexander Cummings in 1775.
  • The High Tank Toilet – This was invented by Thomas Crapper in 1880 and was the first commercially successful toilet. It used a tall tank which was filled with water, creating a vacuum when the flusher was pulled.
  • Ballcocks – These were invented in 1917 by John Harrington and was the first automatic flushing system. It used a float ball inside the tank which regulated the water level and flushed when it reached a certain point.
  • Pressure-Assisted Flushing Systems – These systems were invented in the 1950s and used compressed air inside the tank to force the tank’s contents to forcefully flush the bowl.
  • Gravity-Flush Toilets – These are the most common type today and were invented in the late 1960s. They use gravity to fill the tank, and tank-pressure to flush the bowl.
  • Dual Flush Toilets – These are the newest type on the market and were first released in 1980. It uses two levers for flushing, with one being for liquid waste and the other for solid waste.

The toilet plays an essential part in our everyday lives, but not many people know the history behind it. To sum things up, the flush toilet was invented between 1596-1598 by John Harington. Prior to this, the non-flushing toilet was most popular, with the oldest example being discovered in Skara Brae dating back to 3100 BC. The toilet bowl was invented in the 4th century BC, while the modern sewer system was created by Joseph Bazalgette in 1858 and the plumbing system was invented by Ctesibius in the 4th century BC. The toilet has gone through various upgrades and iterations throughout the centuries since its inception, with the latest being the dual flush toilet in 1980.