Thomas Crapper

Thomas Crapper (1836-1910) was an English plumber and businessman who founded one of the first plumbing supply companies in the world. He is also credited with developing and popularizing the modern flush toilet. Although he did not invent the flush toilet, his improvements to the design helped revolutionize indoor plumbing and sanitation.

The Flush Toilet

Before Crapper's innovations, indoor plumbing was usually limited to wealthy households and institutions. Poor sanitation and the spread of disease were major public health concerns. The flush toilet had already been invented by others, but Crapper's design included improvements such as a valve that allowed the toilet to be flushed with less water and a trap below the bowl to prevent sewer gas from entering the home.

Legacy and Impact

Crapper's name has become synonymous with the flush toilet, although there is some controversy over whether he actually invented it. However, his contributions to the design and promotion of the modern flush toilet cannot be denied. His plumbing supply company, Thomas Crapper & Co., continued to thrive after his death and is still in operation today.

As programmers, we may not think much about the history of indoor plumbing and sanitation when we are working on our code. However, Crapper's innovations remind us of the power of science and technology to transform our daily lives and improve public health.

Note: The photo of Thomas Crapper's Improved Water Closet is in the public domain.