A Brief History of Flush Toilets

There are a variety of toilet-types and modelsthe bowl allowing for more efficient flushing and
available in the market today. This includes old types,water flow control.
wall-tank models, conventional reservoir tank toilets,A flush valve toilet like the rear flush toilet or the
back flush and rear flush toilets, water saving toilets,back flush toilet heavily relies on water pressure
and many others.without the use of the usual toilet tank. This type of
All of these toilets, regardless of the type or style,toilet has been used since the 1920's with nothing
function to receive and dispose human wastes in amuch of its concept changed.
sanitary way. In the old days, chamber pots andThe rear flush WC sends waste out of the bowl
outhouses were used to such task, which weretowards the rear of the toilet where it passes
proven to be very inconvenient. In the late 1800's,through a waste line in the house or building rather
modern toilets were introduced including thethan in the floor. Alternatively, there are also
modern-flush toilets.back-flush toilets that use reservoir tanks depending
This revolutionized human waste disposal systemon the need or special situations.
where waste is flushed out by water into a privateThere are some cultural variations as to how these
septic tank. In 1890, early flush WCs or water closetsWCs are made. In Germany and some parts of
made use of wooden reservoir tanks mounted highlyEurope, a toilet bowl that allows human waste to
on the wall. The wall-mounted tank provided enoughrest on a ledge before flushing away is not
pressure for the water to flow in order touncommon. It is typically made or manufactured in
adequately clean and empty the toilet bowl fromreverse to most toilet types used in Western
waste. Nowadays, this system has been significantlycountries. With this, the sewer outlet is found
improved. Modern toilets now have tanks attached totowards the front of the bowl not at the rear.