The History of Plumbing

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Plumbing history

Plumbing has been with us for a very long time. It may seem like a new invention, yet its development started with the ancient Chinese, Roman, Persian, Indian and Greek civilizations. People needed water back then as much as we need it today. As a result, this need gave birth to the earliest form of plumbing where rudimentary pipes were developed to transport portable water to public baths in the city.

All the civilization groups mentioned above used different tools for their piping. For starters, the Romans used lead which had to be marked to prevent theft. In 2700 B.C the Indians in Indus Valley found a way of using clay and chopped straw to make their pipes.

Unfortunately, even with all the great progress being made, there had to be one dark period for plumbing. This were periods between 700-1500 A.D. There was a decline in hygiene and sanitation levels which caused the spread of various diseases.

In a bid to avoid a repeat of the same, several measures were put in place and inventions developed. Waste disposal systems had to be changed and in the year 1596, the first modern flushing toilet was designed. The brain behind it was Sir John Harrington who was a godson to Queen Elizabeth I. During the first period the idea flopped because sewage plumbing had not been developed yet.

Fast forward to 1910, the flash toilet had now advanced significantly. The design had shifted from the elevated water tank to a modern closed tank and bowl. More was yet to come because, in the year 1986, Japan decided to go a step further and incorporate technology in plumbing. They developed the first sensor flushing toilet.

From the look of things, there is still more to be unveiled in the plumbing world. The current crop of qualified and experienced plumbers are constantly looking for ways to enhance the efficiency of indoor plumbing. Cost-effectiveness and intuition are some of their key areas of focus. These would help develop a great plumbing experience in most homes.

To avoid being left out, you can contact some of the best plumbers in your area. They will not only provide you with valuable information but also regular updates on new developments. After all, plumbing will forever be part of our lives. Therefore, its future shall always be a subject of interest.

 

 

 



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