You Don’t Know Squat About Toilets

The Squat Toilet

To begin we have the lovely, ancient, Roman squat toilet. You will note that he sits with both feet flat on the top of the bench, rather than balancing on the balls of his feet (which might result in falling over). What is particularly interesting, is that there still are toilets of this type in use today.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ancient-roman-squat-toilets.jpg

Here is the modern Squat toilet. They are very common in some parts of the world and have several distinct advantages over what many would consider as a regular toilet. They are easier to clean and maintain, there is no physical contact between a persons bum and the seat itself, improving on hygiene. Supporters say it leads to a more “complete evacuation”. Negatives are that older people, or those with joint problems, will have a harder time using them, and often you will not find toilet paper provided, and must bring your own, or use a cloth.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Squat-toilet-with-tank.jpg

Chamber Pots

Fancy soup dishes? No. The chamber pot was a large pot often kept under the bed in ones “chamber” or bed room. They ranged from the plain to the fancy. In most places the chamber pots would be emptied very simply, a window was opened and they were dumped out onto the street below.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bourdaloue_dsc02723.jpg

Outhouses

Out houses are considered “dry” toilets as they have no running water. Typically an outhouse is three walls and a door surrounding a raised plank with a hole cut into it. IN some cases there is an actual porcelain toilet, but of course with no running water, the waste simply goes into a deep hole in the ground. From time to time an outhouse could be pumped clean by a septic service, or could be relocated, with the old hole filled in with dirt from the new one. Not all outhouses are as cozy as these we know from roughing it at camp. Some are pretty “out-there” such as this beauty in the Haitian slum of Shada.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Overhung_toilet.jpg

Urinals

Urinals are systems for men who have the luxury of being able to pee while standing up. Urinals come in all shapes and sizes, from individual ones to trough like systems that can be used by several men at one time. Typically urinals offer very little privacy. Here we see a lovely portable urinal from the Netherlands. The main advantage of urinals is they are quick to use.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Portable-toilet-Netherlands.jpg

This is a urinal with a view. It is on the 38 floor of the JR Tower in Hokkaido Japan. It might bring out the exhibitionist in you, but still keeping it perfectly legal.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:JR_Tower_38th_floor_Men%27s_Room_-Hokkaido_(2008.9.11).jpg

The Crapper

Although many people think Thomas Crapper invented the modern toilet, he did not, that honor goes to Sir John Harington. Crapper was simply a plumber who started a popular business in London England, and made flush toilets more popular. He did invent some handy gadgets that improved what Harington invented, such as the ballcock.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thomas_Crapper_Toilet_Horta_Museum.jpg

Composting Toilets

One newer invention is the composting toilet, turning all that bad stuff, into good stuff. These toilets work especially well in remote locations where actual plumbing does not fully exist. The Biolet 20, as pictured here is one such composting toilet.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Biolet_20_deluxe.jpg

A final word

The next time you go to your bathroom, take a look at the wonderful piece of engineering, hug it. And hug it unlike you have ever hugged it before (I refer to all those times after a late night at the bar). Hug it like you mean it. Consider the alternatives.  Jump for Joy!