30000 BC

Before humans had an established abode, they relieved themselves wherever they felt like doing so. Here, there and everywhere!

4000 BC

The first known evidence of ancient plumbing was discovered from this time period in the Indus River Valley. People had water borne toilets in each home which were linked with a drain system. Later on, the decline of civilization led to the regression towards more primitive waste practices.

2500 BC

The Egyptians built elaborate bathrooms inside the pyramids for their dead to use on their journey to the next life.

1000 BC

Evidence of plumbing fixtures, a water supply system, sanitary drainage system and a heating system was developed and used on the island of Crete.

500 BC

The Romans utilized public latrines in bathhouses. The first "flush toilets" were actually marble seats constructed over channels of continuously flowing water.

1000

The fall of the Roman Empire and the rise of barbaric tribes lead to the Dark Ages. Sanitary standards were annihilated. Plumbing fixtures fell into disuse. Bathing became frowned upon. The world became a smellier place.

1300

Ignorance isn't bliss. Poor sanitation, contamination, and years of living in filth and squalor lead to the outbreak of the Black Plaque - decimating the population and handicapping society.

1395

Authorities ordered a halt on the practice of throwing sewage out of the building windows and onto the streets. Although sanitation still remained an issue for hundreds of years. Yuck!

1500

Cesspools and chamber pots were common place. People would often throw human waste from their houses onto the roads below, and into nearby rivers. Once more, people relieved themselves everywhere.

1596

Sir John Harington developed a "necessary" for Queen Elizabeth and himself. Ridiculed by his peers for the strange device, he never built another one. It wasn't for another 200 years until the idea became used again.

1600

17th century castles have indoor privies. Unfortunately the plumbing system dumped directly into the surrounding moats.

1600

Early settlers in America bored out elm trees to be used as water piping. Unfortunately, the logs would allow for water stagnation and often insect infestation...not to mention the "woody" after taste. Eventually, wooden pipes were replaced by caste iron.

1730

Outhouses were common throughout colonial America. From ramshackle structures made of wood, to more well-to-do brick buildings for the wealthy - many common citizens did not have indoor bathrooms until well into the 1800's.

1778

Joseph Brahma receives a patent for the float and valve flushing system. This principle is still used in today's toilets. Smart guy!

1782

The Stink Trap was patented to eliminate the foul smell in bathrooms. It did nothing to prevent the spread of disease, however.

1848

The National Public Health Act, mandating basic sanitary arrangements in every dwelling, is passed in England. This then became a model plumbing code for the rest of the world.

1859

Parliament in London, England was suspended for a short time because of the unbearable stench of the Thames River, where most all sewers drained into.

1861

Prince Albert, as well as thousands of others died from typhoid fever. Sanitation became a public concern.

1870

Indoor plumbing throughout the US became a prominent feature of wealthy homes. Drainage and venting remained poor however...and the homes stunk!

1880

Toilet paper was developed by the British Perforated Paper Company.

1881

New York led the nation in requiring registration of plumbers, as well as Board of Health supervision of new plumbing installations. Safety and sanitary conditions began to improve.

1933

Samuel O. Blanc invents the electric Drain Snake sewer cleaning machine. For the first time, drains could be cleared without having to dig up the ground.

1937

The single handle mixing faucet common in households is designed by Al Moen.

1973

A Skylab astronaut smiles after a hot shower in the collapsible, sealed stall. Only three gallons of water per shower were allowed on the station.

1987

T. Webber Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning is founded by Tom Webber.

1992

Congress passed the Energy Policy Act, mandating that all new toilets be low-flow, using 1.6 or less gallons of water per flush. One step forward in conservation.

2000

Modern toilets reign supreme in technologically cutting edge countries like Japan. Sensor-triggered lids open and shut automatically. Your posterior is treated to heated seats, adjustable bidet arcs and cleansing jets, and a classical soundtrack. Oh yeah, they flush, too!

2008

The most commonly asked question to astronauts is "how do you go to the toilet in space?" The answer is strap yourself into this - a toilet in the International Space Station.