Today's Reason to Celebrate

January 27, 2012 was

Thomas Crapper Day

It’s Thomas Crapper Day! Thomas Crapper was a plumber in the late 19th century who founded Thomas Crapper & Co. Ltd. in London. Although he did not invent the toilet, he was able to use his skills as a shrewd businessman and salesperson to make it extremely popular.

The flush toilet was invented in 1596 by John Harrington. From the time of its invention up until the start up of Crapper's company, bathroom fixtures were not part of the everyday household. Crapper heavily promoted sanitary plumbing and pioneered the concept of the bathroom fittings showroom, which made toilets and bathroom fixtures a global success.

Did you know that the manhole covers in Westminster Abbey still have the Crapper Company name on them? They are a common tourist attraction in England. Celebrate Thomas Crapper Day today and take a moment to appreciate all that he did for the promotion of sanitary plumbing!