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2500 BCE
Early Bathrooms
The Indus Valley was believed to be way ahead of its time because it showed the earliest signs of a sewage system. Their bathrooms had pipes that connected to the nearest body of water. -
The first flushable toilet
Sir John Harington invented the first flush toilet in 1596. The toilet used about 7 gallons from upstairs to get rid of waste. -
Who was awarded?
In 1775 Alexander Cumming was awarded the first flush-toilet patent though he didn't invent it, though he did invent the s-shaped pipe below the toilet. -
Period: to
Chamber Pots
Before flush toilets became popular and/or affordable, many people used chamber pots. Chamber pots were used by families up until it was time for the women to empty them. -
The first successful line of toilets
The first successful line of toilets was founded by Thomas Crapper. His invention the ballcock is still used in modern toilets today. -
Early Water Closets
Most early water closets were made to resemble chamber pots and commodes. Later on, in the 1880s people realized that wood, water, and other stuff did not mix well, which lead to open plumbing. -
Period: to
Early Improvements
Early washout closets were replaced with better working siphon-jet and washdown models. High tanks were changed to low tanks and ornamentation was changed to smooth, white, and easy to clean surfaces. -
Beginning of Modern Toilets
During the 1930s the Streamline industrial design began to create toilets with a more modern design leading to a colorful trend in bathroom designs. -
Toilet Paper
Toilet paper was invented in the west and was considered a luxury before going on sale in 1942. Many families used old newspapers to get clean before toilet paper went on sale. -
Bathrooms Now
The first bathrooms were out in the open and as time went on they became more public and added more stuff as in sinks, mirrors, trashcans, etc.