First Plumbing Fact: Where Was Plumbing Originated?
Have you ever wondered where the term “plumbing” originated? Its beginnings are fascinating! The Latin word “plumbum,” which implies lead, is where the term originates. That’s the reason why lead on the periodic table has the chemical symbol “Pb.” The ancient Romans utilized lead pipes for their complex plumbing systems. Thus, they not only left us with baths and aqueducts, but they also left us with the trade’s own name! That seems like a history lecture with a modern spin.
Medications Have Found Their Way into Our Water Ways
This one’s going to be really weird for you: 90% of the medications we take are removed when we urinate. Yes, our medications and supplements eventually find their way into the sewer system and down the toilet. A startling EPA study found fish containing traces of painkillers, antibiotics, antidepressants, caffeine, and cholesterol-lowering medications in their systems. Thus, the next time you flush, keep in mind that your painkiller or morning coffee may be making its way into the water!
Who Was the Infamous Thomas Crapper?
Introducing Thomas Crapper—quite the name! With his brilliant mind, Thomas Crapper revolutionized the plumbing industry when he established Thomas Crapper & Co. in London in the late 1800s. Three of the nine patents he possessed were all related to making our dependable toilets better. The worst part is that Mr. Crapper coined the informal phrase “crap” or “crapper.” How about making a lasting impression? You can thank Thomas for the burst of inspiration the next time you hear someone remark they need to “Hit the crapper”!
The Tremont Hotel is the First Hotel with Plumbing
Travel back in time to 1829, when the Boston Tremont Hotel made headlines as the nation’s first hotel to include indoor plumbing! You heard correctly. This chic location transformed the hotel industry by giving visitors the convenience of running water directly in their rooms. Just picture the thrill of not battling the weather to go to the outhouse. The Tremont made history one toilet at a time by becoming the gold standard for hotels worldwide!
What? Albert Einstein’s Dream Job Was a Plumber
It may surprise you to learn that the man who developed the theory of relativity, Albert Einstein, was a huge plumbing fan. “If I had to live my life over again, I would be a plumber,” he famously declared once. What a twist in a career! This delighted the Steamfitters’ Union that they elected Einstein as an honorary member. Imagine Einstein studying the secrets of the cosmos while he fixes a broken pipe while wielding a wrench. It simply goes to show that even the most intelligent brains recognize the value of quality plumbing!
The Most Well-Known Plumbers on the Planet
Which plumbers are the most well-known in history, in your opinion? Nobody else but Mario and Luigi! Invented by the talented Shigeru Miyamoto in 1985 and developed by Nintendo, these well-known siblings have spent decades leaping, climbing, and rescuing Princess Peach. These mustachioed warriors have appeared in over 200 video games since their release. Mario and Luigi have taken the globe by storm, demonstrating that plumbers can also be celebrities, whether taking on Bowser or racing go-karts! The next time you hear that well-known “It’s me, Mario!”, keep in mind that plumbing has never looked better!
Discover the Fact About Toilet Paper Over or Under!
People hold onto your plungers! Dr. Gilda Carle polled two thousand people to resolve the long-standing argument about toilet paper: Is it too much or too little? The results can eliminate your assumptions!
Regarding those who roll their toilet paper too long and let it dangle from the wall:
They adore holding positions of authority (queen or king, anyone?).
They love order and are extremely organized.
Overachievers who like everything precisely right
Now, for those who roll under the toilet paper and store it near the wall:
- They are the trustworthy individuals you can rely on at all times.
- They exude a calm, easygoing attitude.
- All of them center on solid, deep relationships.
For those who follow the crowd without preference or objection, remember that their main concern is maintaining harmony and preventing conflict.
- They can roll with the punches and value adaptability.
- They relish accepting novel and stimulating circumstances.
That means that your style of rolling has a little something unique, regardless of whether you’re an under, an over, or somewhere in between!
Halftime is the Biggest Blitz to the Lavatory
Here’s a fact that will make you flush! During the Super Bowl halftime, more toilets are flushed than at any other time of the year. It resembles the ultimate bathroom explosion! Imagine, if you will, millions of spectators madly rushing to the bathroom at the same time during those crucial halftime moments. Even though scores and advertisements take center stage during the Super Bowl, we must not overlook the unsung heroes of the game—our diligent restroom workers who brave the halftime rush like real winners.
Have You Ever Wondered What People Around the World Refer to as Toilets?
Prepare yourself for a global tour of bathroom jargon!
- The British refer to it as the “loo” for a reason: why not give everything a little class?
- The “jacks” are their cute moniker for the restrooms, so if you go to Ireland, you’ll hear people asking for them.
- Instead, they use the more advanced “water closet,” or WC for short, in France, the Netherlands, and Germany. Très stylish, huh?
- When someone in the UK talks about the “khazi,” they are referring to the same thing. This colloquialism is likely to cause some people to chuckle!
- People from Northern England have a peculiar term for it; they call it the “netty.” Doesn’t it sound comfortable?
- And in Australia, they don’t sugarcoat things with the “dunny.” Easy, uncomplicated, and slightly sly!
So the next time nature calls, wow your pals with your knowledge of foreign toilet culture!
Would You Like to Know Why We Refer to a Toilet as “The John”?
Let’s take a playful look at some toilet history! It may surprise you to learn that John Harrington was the original inventor of the toilet, which is why we refer to it as “the John.” How about making a lasting impression on history?
But there’s still more!
Alexander Cummings received the first toilet patent, which was granted in 1775. He is the reason we have the contemporary marvels that we do. Just think of life without them—ouch!
World Toilet Day: Educating the Public
Indeed, it exists, and it’s quite significant! We celebrate World Toilet Day on November 19th of each year to bring attention to concerns related to global sanitation. Today is a day to honor the modest toilet and everything it provides for us. The toilet is a true unsung hero in our daily lives, keeping our homes smelling good and sometimes saving us from some rather disgusting situations. So set your calendars, polish the lid of your toilet, and give thanks to this porcelain throne that keeps everything in order!
How Do Lavatories Operate in Space?
Space-age toilets are extraordinary! The engineering of space toilets is quite amazing. The International Space Station’s astronauts use a specially-made toilet that draws feces from the air. It resembles a sophisticated vacuum cleaner for your posterior! Think of responding to the call of nature while suspended in zero gravity—talk about an interstellar lavatory experience. These space toilets prove that a decent toilet is necessary for lift-off even in space, keeping our cosmic explorers happy and the space station immaculate!
Cheers to the Plumbing World’s Unsung Heroes!
With these twelve odd, funny, and fascinating plumbing facts, we hope you’ve had a blast. Plumbing has an interesting and deep history permeating every aspect of our lives, from Roman inventions to contemporary space shuttle bathrooms. Whether you’re admiring your loo, clearing a clog, or repairing a leak, never forget the amazing creativity and craftsmanship that went into it all. Give a small respect to the inventors and plumbers who made it all possible the next time you turn on the faucet or flush the toilet. Cheers to the unsung plumbing heroes: joyful flushing and long-lasting, trouble-free plumbing!
