History of Plumbing Timeline

AUG
23 John C. Flood, Inc.
History of Plumbing Timeline
The history of plumbing is extremely long and didn't always

involve indoor plumbing. While we often take modern indoor plumbing
for granted, it hasn't always been so convenient.
Indoor plumbing took many decades to development, but it's invention

as we know it today can be traced back to the early 1800s.
The most important advancements in plumbing history occurred over

several millennium to contribute to what we now have as our modern
day plumbing.
History of Plumbing Timeline

4000 - 3000 B.C.
Archaeologists discovered the rst water pipes in the Indus River in
India, dating back to 4000-3000 B.C. Egyptian ruler Menes also
supported a thriving civilization by constructing canals, irrigation
ditches, and basins.
https://www.johncflood.com/blog/general/history-of-plumbing-timeline 1/7
5/13/2021 History of Plumbing Timeline | John C. Flood
Image by Hidden Inca Tours
2500 B.C.
Egyptians developed copper pipes in order to build sophisticated
bathrooms with irrigation and sewage systems inside pyramids.
Believing the dead required food, clothing and other such essentials in
the afterlife, Egyptians installed bathrooms in tombs as well. Around
this time, sitting toilets appear in the Harappa civilization (now India),
although it is not known exactly who invented the toilet.
1500 - 1000 B.C.

Under the reign of King Minos, the people of Crete created elaborate
sewage disposal and drainage systems with underground channels.
During the same period, the rst ushing toilet was invented, complete
with a wooden seat. Archeologists have also discovered a bathtub
resembling cast-iron ones from the late 19th century in America.
710 B.C.
Sargon the Great, Assyrian king, invented the rst shower by having
slaves on ladders pour water over him while he bathed.
500 B.C. - 455 A.D.

The Roman Empire developed complex ancient plumbing systems
along with aqueducts, underground
https://www.johncflood.com/blog/general/history-of-plumbing-timeline sewers, public baths, bronze and 2/7
lead piping systems, and even marble xtures. Around 52 A.D., Rome
boasted an estimated 220 miles of aqueducts, pipes and water channels
used to supply baths, homes and public wells. The water channels were
powered by gravity and carried 300 gallons of fresh water for Rome's
citizens.
1596 A.D.
Sir John Harrington, godson of Queen Elizabeth I, designed the rst
ushing toilet for his godmother -- rst used in the Richmond Palace.
He also created a ushing water closet for himself at his home. The
contraption included a seat, a bowl, and a water cistern behind the seat.
Image by Wikipedia
1644 A.D.
King Louis XIV of France ordered the construction of a cast-iron main
plumbing line. The line carried water approximately 15 miles from a
plumbing station to the palace fountains as well as surrounding areas.
1775 A.D.
The prototype for the modern toilet was rst developed by Scottish
inventor Alexander Cummings. Sir John Harrington’s water closet was
able to ush, but it did not have a water trap. Cummings’ prototype
included an S trap (which was a sliding valve between the bowl and the
trap) that allowed some water to stay in the bowl. As a result, the water
no longer smelled like sewage, and the bowl could be easily cleaned
after every use.
Image by Wikipedia
1804 A.D.
Philadelphia was the rst city that switched entirely to cast iron pipes
to create their new system of water delivery.
1810 A.D.
The English Regency shower was rst introduced in 1810 A.D. The water
is plumbed through a nozzle and
https://www.johncflood.com/blog/general/history-of-plumbing-timeline then sprayed at shoulder level. The 4/7
water was then collected and pumped through the shower again.
1829 A.D.
Tremont Hotel of Boston was the rst hotel of its kind to feature indoor
plumbing for guests. Eight water closets were built by Isaiah Rogers.
Until 1840, indoor water closets were commonly found in the homes of
the rich and luxury hotels. Soon, soap was introduced during bathing
and catches on for hygiene purposes.
1833 A.D.
The White House was rst plumbed with running water on the main
oor. Upstairs plumbing was later introduced when President Franklin
Pierce was in o ce.
Image by McClatchy DC
1885 A.D.
Chicago was the rst city in the country to have a comprehensive sewer
system.
1891 A.D.
Thomas Crapper patented his valve-and-siphon design, updating the
modern toilet in the process. His work revolutionized the modern
concept of plumbing.
Image by Wikipedia
1904 A.D.
John C. Flood was rst founded in Washington, D.C. in 1904. The
company started serving Northern Virginia and Maryland as it grew.
Image by John C. Flood
1910 A.D.
The elevated water tank became the most contemporary closed toilet
water tank and bowl that most people have in their bathrooms today.
Image by Buildipedia
1966 A.D.
Due to a shortage of copper after wartime requirements, non-metallic,
and plastic piping systems were rst introduced for toilets.
Image by Wikipedia
1986 A.D.
The rst sensor- ushing toilets were introduced in Japan.
Image by Kohler
2003 A.D.
The International Code Council (ICC) was formed through the union of
three model building code agencies. This Council helps to ensure that
all future developments and endeavors follow a strictly enforced code
and standard in all their projects.

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AUG

23 John C. Flood, Inc.

The history of plumbing is extremely long and didn't always

Indoor plumbing took many decades to development, but it's invention

The most important advancements in plumbing history occurred over

History of Plumbing Timeline

Image by Hidden Inca Tours

1500 - 1000 B.C.

500 B.C. - 455 A.D.

Image by John C. Flood

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