The Crapper Centenary

Friends,

I hope you all will pause with me to mark to the 100th anniversary of the death of Thomas P. Crapper, the famous English plumber who helped revolutionize numerous components of what we know today as the modern toilet. He died January 27, 1910.

Here is a little nugget from his Wikipedia entry:

Contrary to widespread misconceptions, Crapper did not invent the toilet. He did, however, do much to increase the popularity of the toilet, and did develop some important related inventions, such as the ballcock. He was noted for the quality of his products and received several Royal Warrants.

Crapper continues to be the subject of historical interest. Also from Wikipedia:
The manhole covers with Crapper's company's name on them in Westminster Abbey are now a minor tourist attraction.

It's important that we realize about how far we have come as a society; without a man like Crapper, Elvis might have died somewhere really really embarrassing.

Another little dollop from a 1993 issue of Plumbing and Mechanical

Myth: The word "crap" is derived from Thomas Crapper's name.

Fact. The origin of crap is still being debated. Possible sources include the Dutch Krappe; Low German krape meaning a vile and inedible fish; Middle English crappy, and Thomas Crapper. Where crap is derived from Crapper, it is by a process know as, pardon the pun, a back formation.

The World War I doughboys passing through England brought together Crapper's name and the toilet. They saw the words T. Crapper-Chelsea printed on the tanks and coined the slang "crapper" meaning toilet.

I urge you to take a small moment out of your day (and if you can't find the time, drink some coffee) and pay tribute to Thomas P. Crapper, an amazing man. Flushed with Pride, a satirical biography of his life is available here.