Thomas Crapper

Thomas Crapper

Thomas Crapper (1836 – 27 January 1904) was an English businessman and plumber who founded Thomas Crapper & Co in London. He is often mistakenly credited with inventing the flush toilet, but he did significantly improve the siphon mechanism used in water closets and held several patents related to plumbing fixtures. His contributions to the plumbing industry were instrumental in popularizing the use of sanitary plumbing and fixtures, leading to improvements in public health and hygiene.

Early Life

Thomas Crapper was born in 1836 in Thorne, Yorkshire, England. Little is known about his early life before he moved to London to begin his apprenticeship in plumbing. In the mid-19th century, the field of sanitary engineering was just emerging, and Crapper was among the pioneers who saw the potential for improving and commercializing sanitary products and systems.

Career

In 1861, Thomas Crapper started his own business, Thomas Crapper & Co, in Chelsea, London. The company specialized in manufacturing and installing high-quality plumbing fixtures, including water closets, cisterns, and drain pipes. Crapper's firm was one of the first to show sanitary ware in showroom settings, making it accessible for the general public to view and purchase.

Crapper is credited with several innovations in plumbing, although he did not invent the flush toilet. He improved the siphon mechanism that allowed for more efficient and reliable flushing. His patents included improvements to the floating ballcock, the U-bend plumbing trap, and the pull-chain mechanism for flushing.

One of Crapper's significant contributions was his advocacy for sanitary plumbing. At a time when many homes and public buildings lacked proper sanitation, Crapper's work helped to promote the importance of hygienic waste disposal systems. His efforts contributed to the broader public health movement that saw the installation of sanitary plumbing as essential to preventing disease.

Legacy

Thomas Crapper's name has become synonymous with toilets and plumbing, partly due to the enduring presence of his company's products and the popular, though incorrect, myth that he invented the flush toilet. The term "crap," predating Crapper, is coincidentally associated with his name, further cementing his legacy in popular culture as a figure linked to sanitation and toilets.

Despite the myths surrounding his contributions, Crapper's real legacy lies in his advancements in plumbing technology and his role in promoting sanitary engineering. His company, Thomas Crapper & Co, continues to operate, maintaining his commitment to quality and innovation in plumbing.

Crapper died on 27 January 1904 and was buried in Beckenham, Kent. Over a century later, his work remains influential in the field of sanitary plumbing, and his name is still recognized worldwide.

See Also

• Flush toilet
• Sanitation
• Plumbing