When was the last time you took your plumbing system for granted? If you are like most of us, it was probably within the last hour or less, when you washed your hands or flushed the toilet. Today, we may not even think about our plumbing until something gets clogged or goes awry. The evolution of modern plumbing is an interesting chain of events. Modern plumbing is not just about convenience, it was also a critical change that wiped out diseases and improved sanitation across the world.
Here is a timeline of events that shaped our plumbing history and guided us into the world of modern plumbing:
- From 3,000 B.C, the ancient Minoan civilization on Crete developed an advanced plumbing system, which included underground clay pipes and the first flushing toilets!
- In 312 B.C., The first aqueduct was created, which was a network of man-made streams that guided water downhill to Ancient Rome.
- In 1596, Queen Elizabeth I installed the first flushing toilet in her England home.
- In 1728, New York health officials installed the first underground sewer system to address complaints about the foul odor from existing above-ground sewage.
- In 1775, English inventor Alexander Cumming was granted the first patent for a flush toilet, featuring the innovative S-shaped pipe to prevent sewer gas from entering.
- In 1829, Boston’s Tremont Hotel became the first hotel to have indoor plumbing.
- In 1833 the White House had running water installed in its first floor.
- In 1848, England passed The National Public Health Act, which became the model plumbing code for clean, safe water.
- In 1855, the first American city installed a comprehensive sewer system – Chicago!
- In 1857, Joseph C. Gayetty of New York produced the first packaged toilet paper.
Today, a flushing toilet and sophisticated plumbing system is a staple in every household. We benefit from incredible convenience by having access to hot water within seconds and flushing away wastes without ever worrying about contamination. As plumbing technology continues to advance, it will be exciting to see what the future holds. In the meantime, if your modern plumbing system isn’t up to par, call the professional of Metro Septic and Plumbing. We deliver honest and knowledgeable repairs for all types of sewer and septic systems.
