“Thomas Crapper invented the flush toilet”

While the name Thomas Crapper has become almost synonymous with the modern toilet, the notion that he invented the flush toilet is a persistent myth. This misconception largely stems from a satirical biography published in 1969, which playfully, but inaccurately, credited him with the invention. Further cementing this association, American soldiers stationed in England during World War I encountered toilets prominently displaying the "Thomas Crapper & Co Ltd" brand and subsequently brought the slang term "crapper" back to the United States.

The historical truth reveals that the flush toilet was actually invented much earlier, in 1596, by Sir John Harington, an English courtier and godson of Queen Elizabeth I. He designed a water closet featuring a cistern and a flush valve, installing one for the Queen herself. Thomas Crapper, a real Victorian plumber and businessman born in 1836, played a significant role in improving and popularizing bathroom fixtures. He held nine patents, including advancements for the floating ballcock mechanism and the U-bend trap, which were crucial for preventing sewer gases from entering homes.

Crapper was an astute marketer and a strong advocate for sanitary plumbing, opening the world's first bathroom showroom to display his high-quality products. His company received royal warrants, further boosting his reputation. People commonly believe the myth because Crapper's name was widely displayed on his popular and improved plumbing products, and his contributions were indeed vital to making the flush toilet a widespread and efficient household item, even if he didn't invent the original concept.