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5090 BCE
The Hole
Since mankind's existsense, the need to a find place relieve themself has been prevelent. The earliest place we relieved ourselfs was a simple hole in the ground. -
586 BCE
Cesspit Toilet
The cesspit toilet is argueably the earliest version of the toilet. The cesspit toilet was used by many early civilizations. The cesspit toilet was a seat made out stone with a hole in the top that leads to a pit. These toilets were in a what we recognize now as a restroom. The biggest difference however, is that there was no privacy. -
500 BCE
Roman Sewer Systems
The Romans used a sewer system to deposit waste from latrines into streams and rivers. These sewer systems are largely regarded as one of the first waste removal systems. -
1200
Garberobe
The garberobe was a form of toilet used during medival times. It was a room that hung off the side of a castle. In the room was a seat with a hole that lead outside of the castle. -
1300
Chamber Pot
Shortly after the invention of the garberobe was the chamber pot. Chamber pots were pots placed in the bedrooms of royalty. Once the pots were full servants would go and dispose of the waste, usually from a high place. -
First Flushing Toilet
The first flushing toilet was invented by Sir John Harrington. His flushing toilet had a water supply from an upstairs cistern. With a lever-operated flush water sweeped waste into a cesspool. -
Bidet
Bidets were invented in order to help clean yourself after using the bathroom. Early bidets were essentially basins filled manually with water, placed near chamber pots. Today, bidets come in various forms, including electronic models with features like warm water, drying functions, and adjustable settings. -
Alexander Cumming
Alexander was an inventor who contributed a lot to the evolution of the Toilet. He is responsible for the first patten of flushing toilets and also came up with the S-trap. The S-trap is a curved pipe under the toilet that helped to reduce odor and is used in many toilets today. -
Rim Flushing
The rim-flushing toilet first appeared in 1854.Water streamed out under the rim to clean waste from the sides of the bowl. This is now the standard for many toilets. -
Toilet Paper
Invented by Joseph Gayetty, toilet paper made using the toilet more convenient and more hygeninc. Allowing you to clean yourself and stay on the toilet at the same time. -
High Tank Capper
Popularized by Thomas Crapper, the High Tank Crapper was used to improve the flushing capability of the toilet. -
Thomas Crapper
Thomas Crapper is considered to be the man to popularized the toilet. Thomas crapper was a plumber and business man. His pushed people to install plumbing into their homes and helped the toilet become a household staple. -
Outhouse/Porta Potty
Outhouses ( or Porta potties) were a way for people to use the bathroom outside where there is no plumbing. Porta potties today can be seen at many major outdoor events and festivals. -
Transitional/Modern Toilet
The transitional toilet is the standard toilet we use and see today. The transitional toilet takes all the parts from previous toilets and puts them into one, while also improving on some designs. These include moving the tank to the back of the bowl instead of above it, using the s-trap to prevent clogging, and having a flushing feature as it is a necessity. -
Toilets Today
Today, toilets come in many different variations. Some may be automatic and sleek, while some may be bulky and manual. No matter what, the toilet has evolved though the years and has become an important part of everyday life.