When Was Plumbing Invented?
Plumbing Invented
The plumbing that brings water into your home and wastes out may seem simple, but it’s actually an amazing invention. This vital system has helped keep our homes clean and healthy for millennia. It’s not just about washing your hands or taking a shower, though. Plumbing also helps eliminate germs and contaminants and makes our lives easier in many other ways. It’s no wonder that people have been lauding plumbing advances for so long.
The first plumbing systems developed around 4000 BCE in Mesopotamia, when clay pipes were used to remove wastewater and capture rainwater. These systems eventually spread to ancient Egypt, where bathrooms with water and sewage were built inside pyramids, as well as into the homes of wealthy citizens.
Ancient Greeks improved on these early systems with terra cotta drainpipes that were fitted together using perfect sockets and tapered to prevent sediment buildup. They were the precursor to today’s sewer systems. The Egyptians, Indians and other civilizations followed suit with rudimentary plumbing methods.
When Was Plumbing Invented?
In the 16th century, Europeans brought rudimentary plumbing to America when they settled in New York City. However, until the mid and late 19th century, most cities did not have a comprehensive sewer system. In fact, it was common for New York City residents to use outhouses or share chamber pots in tenement houses. Then, in 1835, the Great Fire of New York City created a need for clean water and prompted engineers to develop a new plumbing system.
This herculean effort included laying pipes beneath the streets to pump water, as well as elevating streets by as much as eight feet in some areas. By the end of the 19th century, cities had sewer systems spanning entire cities, and bathtubs began to appear in private homes.
It was the Romans, however, who truly revolutionized indoor plumbing. They were renowned for their engineering abilities, and some of their complex aqueducts can still be seen in modern Europe. They also developed water closets and sewers that emptied into public baths, as well as into streams and lakes. The etymology of the word “poop” stems back to this time period.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, other civilizations adopted more crude plumbing systems. Then, in the 1770s, Alexander Cummings patented a toilet that flushed, and the first shower appeared, although it was not as we’d recognize it today. It was not until the mid-1850s that reliable indoor plumbing became more widely available, and in 1913, Kohler invented a built-in bathtub.
Today, plumbing technology continues to evolve. We now have smarter toilets and faucets that monitor water usage. Some cities even use sensors that detect leaks and shut off water before a flood can occur. These technologies, along with the work of plumbers, pipefitters and boilermakers, continue to make our homes better. And we can be grateful for these advancements, because without them, it would be a very different world.