Leading Brands And The History Of The Toilet

What started as a simple (but fundamental) technological advancement has morphed into a thriving and competitive industry

While airplanes and telephones have helped make the world seem smaller, it is the invention of the toilet that has really brought humanity together. After all, without the modern sewage system, people could not congregate into large urban areas without posing serious health hazards to each other.

The invention of the toilet (meaning a hole in the ground for human waste) dates back to 2500 B.C., and while running water existed in the ancient civilizations of Rome, Persia and China, using water to carry away human waste is a fairly recent phenomenon.

There are some myths to debunk when discussing the history of the flush toilet, the foremost being that it was invented in the 19thcentury by a plumber named Thomas Crapper (1836 - 1910). No doubt his surname fueled this rumour. Yes, Crapper was a plumber and yes he was an inventor--he owned several patents, including one for the modern manhole cover--but the flush toilet predates his birth by about 60 years. (For the record, the term “crap” as a synonym for feces also predates Crapper.)

The other rumour is that our euphemism “the john” came from the toilet manufacturer John Douglas, who put his name on the units he sold in the American marketplace. In actuality, several companies that made toilets in the 19thand 20thcentury had John in their name.

Today, you’ll find that most of today’s leading toilet brands don’t use the word “John” (or “crap” for that matter) in their monikers. Depending on your country of origin, the toilet in your bathroom could be an American Standard, a Crane, a Kohler or a TOTO. The industry is extremely competitive and the leading brands all aim to leverage government regulation and technological advancements to their advantage.

The biggest shake-up in the modern toilet industry has been the environmental movement and water conservation. The low-flow toilet and the dual-flush toilet are two inventions that have been in response to this. Manufacturers have worked hard to create eco-friendly units that are also as effective as older models, to varying degrees of success.

And of course, we can’t forget aesthetic appeal. Toilets come in a wide range of styles, sizes and colors to match your bathroom. Most toilets are white (easier to know when it needs cleaning that way) and come in either one- or two-piece sets.Like any big-ticket item, it’s important to shop around to find out which item is best for you. Not all toilets are created equal, and it’s important to know what to look for when you go shopping.