The history of indoor plumbing is a story that hasn’t been analyzed closely in recent years. And so many people have little understanding of the technology and the systems that we have come to rely upon in our everyday lives.
To help guide you on this important subject our team at Nixco Plumbing Inc. in Mason, OH is presenting a quick history of indoor plumbing and highlighting the facts you should know, along the way.
Marie Antoinette Was One of the Few Who Had Flush Toilets in Her Time
Being Queen of France brings with it several special privileges and one of these was to have your own flush toilet. There are fables of Marie Antoinette having been in the town of Versailles and having wastewater thrown over her head by one of the villagers.
From then on, she demanded her own private toilet. One of the finest examples of flush toilets of its time, the unit is still on display in Versailles.
Ancient Populations Had Private Toilets
You might not believe it, but ancient populations actually had a significantly advanced understanding on water use and home plumbing.
For example, homeowners in Lothal in the Indus Valley Civilization had indoor plumbing in their homes in 2350 BCE.
These private toilets connected to a covered sewer system featuring brickwork. The toilets would empty into local cesspits and bodies of water.
Sensor Flush Technology was Invented in 1986
It was in 1986 in Japan that the technology to sense when a person was finished with the toilet was invented. The technology was designed to limit the need to manually flush the toilet and was invented amid a greater push for cleaner bathroom spaces.
We had started to learn about the damage that bacteria in bathrooms can cause and sensor bathrooms are now commonplace in public washrooms around the globe.
Low Flow Systems Can Help Mitigate Water Use
While our indoor plumbing systems have been continually perfected in recent years, we’re now seeing that functionality should be balanced with the impact the system has on our water supplies.
Many homeowners across the country are now using low flow toilets and shower systems to cut the amount of water they use in the home by more than 50%.
This quick history of indoor plumbing has hopefully given you further understanding and appreciation for the amenities in your own home. Make sure you consider how others experienced life in past generations next time you use your own home facilities.