Plumbing is one of the most important aspects of modern society, and most people know about the vital role plumbers play in repairing, installing, and maintaining sanitation systems. However, there’s a lighter side to plumbing as well, filled with fascinating bits of information on this topic. Here are a few of them.
Origin of the Name
The word “plumber” is commonly used for an expert in this field; however, most people don’t know its origin. We can trace it back to the ancient Romans. It’s derived from the Latin word “plumbum,” which means lead. This is because the Romans made their water pipes out of that substance. Unfortunately for them, they weren’t aware there was a downside.
The Most Expensive Toilet
Rich people have often raised the bar for the most expensive bathroom fixtures money can buy. This means installing gold toilet seats and faucets or importing toilets with the latest tech feature from Japan. However, none of these compare to the toilet in the International Space Station. It’s considered the most expensive in the world — or perhaps we should say out of it — costing a whopping $19 million. This toilet is designed to hold the astronaut in place and convert waste into drinking water.
Who Invented the Toilet?
Over the years, people have proposed different theories about the invention of the toilet. Dismiss the speculations because here are the facts. The flush toilet was invented by Sir John Harington in 1596. It was made as a gift to his godmother Queen Elizabeth I.
Despite his invention being a popular feature in toilets today, it wasn’t received all that well by the people of his time. Things would change in the 1880s after an English plumber named Thomas Crapper popularized the invention by replacing the valve system with a siphon system. A few adjustments to the concept made it more user-friendly, and he advertised it widely. Hence, we have the modern colloquial name for the commode.
Word’s Oldest Sewer System
According to various archeological findings, plumbing has been around for thousands of years. However, the oldest sewer system discovered was in the remains of a palace in the Indus River Valley in India, estimated to be from 4000 BCE. Research also shows that indoor plumbing systems can be dated back to 2500 BCE in ancient Egypt.
However, the most complex and sophisticated sewer system was discovered in Rome and dated to the sixth and seventh centuries BCE. It was used for multiple purposes, including draining the marshland and directing waste to the Tiber River.
Plumbing doesn’t have to be serious all the time. Take a moment to consider some of the interesting facts about the topic to lighten your mood and arouse your interest. However, when it does get serious, contact us at JW’s in Indianapolis, IN for drain cleaning and all your other plumbing needs.
