Who Invented Indoor Plumbing?

While some form of indoor plumbing has been around for over 2,800 years, its modern form came about in 1596. Sir John Harrington of England created the first flushing toilet for Queen Elizabeth. However, there was no sewage plumbing, so the idea went nowhere. It wouldn't be until the 18th century that it gained traction.

Indoor Plumbing in the 1800s

In 1804, Philadelphia became the first city in the United States to use cast-iron pipes for its water mains. In 1842, New York City launched its Croton Aqueduct System. This system transported water from a faraway reservoir to two reservoirs in New York. The water then went into a network of underground pipes that supplied running water across the city.The first modern sewage system was created in Brooklyn in 1857. By the close of the 1800s, Chicago had the most advanced sewer system in the nation.

Invention of the Toilet

Alexander Cummings designed the first toilet in 1775. Thomas Crapper, who owned a plumbing company, popularized it. He also came up with several improvements that he patented.

1900s

It was in 1929 that indoor plumbing really took off in the United States. From that year until 1954, the sales of indoor plumbing products shot up by 367%. People decided indoor plumbing was a necessity rather than a convenience. However, there are still about 1.6 million people in the United States who don't have a complete indoor plumbing system.Half Moon Plumbing in Owasso, OK, helps people who have problems with their toilets and other plumbing issues. We've been in business since 2007 and are regarded as a premier plumbing company. Our services include tankless water heaters, conventional water heaters, drain cleaning, yard leaks, sewer replacement, gas lines, faucet repairs, toilet repairs, frost-proof repairs, and more. Since we offer 24/7 availability, we can help you whenever you have a plumbing emergency. Get in touch with us today to find out more.