I think that if Francois Auguste Rene Rodin (1840 – 1917) knew that one of his most famous sculptures, “The Thinker” had become the symbol of World Toilet Day, a day established to raise awareness of the need for global sanitation, he would be proud.
Rodin took 22 years to take “The Thinker” from the first small plaster version to the first large cast bronze version, possibly without having a toilet himself. For while the prototype for the modern toilet was made in 1596 by Sir John Harrington, the godson of Queen Elizabeth I (who you just know had a toilet), toilets didn’t become the norm for a couple more centuries. With the improvement of the “ballcock” by Thomas Crapper in the late 19th century, and the advent of the industrial revolution, the commoners were “flush” with the improvements this new invention afforded them given that they no longer had to contend with late night trips to the outhouse.
Green Life Blue Water 
Tommy’s last name was … Crapper?? Seriously? 🙂 Love the post. Thoughtfully and well written. Sobering statistics. 🙂
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Yes, Crapper! But funnier still that he was the namesake, and didn’t even invent the toilet, just the flusher!
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🙂 🙂
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Hello Pam, I didn’t notice this when I came by for a visit on Sunday. I totally missed World Toilet Day. In my home, kitchen/shower/bath water is recycled back to flushing water. It is tempting to think about fancy gold plated toilet bowls; however, sanitation is big problem in many areas of the world. Awareness starts with us. xo
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So true! It’s the 1 in 3 statistic that’s so incredibly hard to fathom. Good for you with your recycling system! I’m assuming you’re not in the U.S. We’re not that forward-thinking yet.😩
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Happy belated World Toilet Day! Love this.
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Haha! Thanks!
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Toilet manufacture may be one of the world’s industries that have been least influenced by technology. I think it’s likely that there isn’t much difference between the ballcocks in my home toilets and the one that Thomas Crapper upgraded.
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And I believe you would be right, Ken, although there are strides forward in this arena, but people are going to have to get used to the idea of using/reusing grey water. Necessity is the mother of invention, right?🤔
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