This day commemorates the death of Thomas Crapper – Plumber.
What came first the crap or the crapper? This is a chicken and egg question to me. Did people actually start calling poop crap because of this man’s name? And why only did poop pick up this name – you do a lot more then that in the crapper. For that matter if that truly is why it is called the crapper, why is that a slang word for toilet? Shouldn’t toilet be slang for crapper?
Actually it is a myth that Thomas Crapper invented the toilet.
In his research, Grabowski has created a detailed history of Crapper's business life. The man holds nine patents, four for improvements to drains, three for water closets, one for manhole covers and the last for pipe joints. Every patent application for plumbing related products filed by Crapper made it through the process, and actual patents were granted.
The most famous product attributed to Thomas Crapper wasn't invented by him at all. The "Silent Valveless Water Waste Preventer" (No. 814) was a symphonic discharge system that allowed a toilet to flush effectively when the cistern was only half full. British Patent 4990 for 1898 was issued to a Mr. Albert Giblin for this product. (www.theplumber.com)
So maybe just because he was a plumber and his name was Crapper we celebrate this day to honor him! I do love people whose names TOTALLY fit their job… My sister’s baby doctor is Dr.Bump, a librarian named Paige, a really dumb person named Dick…you know those sorts of things.
P.S. There is a Thomas Crapper Co.
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