The History of the Toilet

For most of human history, people were forced to deal with their excrement outdoor in less than sanitary or comfortable conditions.

Fortunately in the third millennium BC indoor plumbing was invented and so were the first indoor toilets. Ironically more primitive methods, such as outhouses and similar devices, would continue being used for thousands of years.

This is due to the fact that indoor plumbing/toilets were typically only used by rulers and the very rich. Thankfully today most people in developed nations get to enjoy the comfort of an indoor toilet. Let’s take a look back at how the toilet evolved over time.

The First Toilets

In the third millennium BC toilets began to see use in certain parts of the world. One area in particular, Mohenjo-Daro, located in the Indus Vally, had very advanced toilets and sewer systems for the time.

Consisting of a seated area made of bricks with a wooden seat, this was one of the first toilets invented yet still remains superior to many of the sanitary arrangement in struggling nations today.

As previously mentioned, only the wealthy got to enjoy these toilets, everyone else was stuck using pots or holes in the ground. Scotland, Egypt, and Persia were also developing toilet technology at this time.

Toilets in the Middle Ages

In the Middle Ages many of the European wealthy used a device known as a “garderobe.” This was essentially a small stone enclosure with a piece of wood or stone with a hole in it to sit on.

Once leaving the body, the excrement would go down a pipe and out of the castle or manor. These garderobes were typically built away from sleeping and dining areas due to the smell they would produce. They would also typically have a fireplace nearby for warmth.

Flush Toilets and the Industrial Revolution

With the onset of the Industrial Revolution technology saw a jump across many areas. This included toilet technology and the first flush toilets were invented in Britain.

Also unlike ages past, the use of toilets began to spread to the common folk, eventually allowing them to enjoy one of the comforts that had up until then been reserved for the wealthy.

Furthermore, use of flush toilets, and the somewhat more low-tech “dry earth closet” style toilets, allowed for a greater level of sanitation, something that helped to fuel the population growth associated with the Industrial Revolution.

If you live in the Little Rock area, and are having toilet troubles, Call Arrow Plumbing at   (501) 267-9359 and find out how you can get your toilet back!