- Categories:
- Fun
- Tags:
- CrazyObscureWeird National
- Where:
- United Kingdom
- Date change rule:
- Every January 27
- Holiday emoji:
- 🚽
Thomas Crapper Day flushes into our calendars every January 27, commemorating the death anniversary of the English plumber who perfected the modern toilet. While not the inventor, Crapper’s innovations, like the water-saving ballcock, revolutionized sanitation. Take a moment to appreciate this essential invention, learn about its history, and ensure your own plumbing is in top shape!
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Expected Thomas Crapper Day Deals
While we await official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that January often brings sales on home improvement essentials. Look for deals from retailers like Lowe’s and The Home Depot on bathroom fixtures, toilets, and plumbing supplies. Brands such as Kohler, American Standard, and Toto may offer discounts on their latest models, encouraging upgrades. Local plumbing services might also run specials on maintenance or installations. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as January 27 approaches.
Platform Guide for Thomas Crapper Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #ThomasCrapperDay. Share creative bathroom decor ideas, plumbing tips, or a fun fact about sanitation history.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #ThomasCrapperDay. Film a humorous skit about toilet innovations, a DIY plumbing hack, or a ‘before and after’ bathroom renovation.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #ThomasCrapperDay. Tweet an interesting historical tidbit about Thomas Crapper, share a plumbing-related meme, or ask followers for their best bathroom upgrade tips.
Thomas Crapper Day Hero
Thomas Crapper
History of Thomas Crapper Day
Since the beginning of human existence, there has been human excretion. For many years, and even today in certain developing countries, humans were compelled to excrete openly. This was unhygienic and dangerous as it led to many fecal-oral and waterborne diseases. Very early on, people recognized the need for proper sanitation. Around fourth century B.C., sewers and toilets were invented in Mesopotamia. The Indus Valley Civilization housed the first urban sanitation system, and Mohenjodaro built toilets into the walls of houses. The Roman Civilization used latrines and the Greeks started to use chamber pots. These early toilets often employed some sort of flushing or flowing water mechanism, however, there were also many versions of dry toilets.
In modern history, chamber pots, cesspits, and cesspools were used for a long time. It wasn’t until the 19th century that health experts emphasized sanitation and pushed for the development of an underground network of pipes to carry away solid and liquid waste. Known as the water closet back then, this new toilet system didn’t become widely used until the late 19th century. Toilets had been invented, but the emergence of Thomas Crapper in the toilet world sped things up. In the 1880s, he set up The Crapper & Co. showroom in London. He patented and manufactured sanitary appliances such as pipe joints, drain improvements, manhole covers, and water closet improvements like the floating ballcock.
Thomas Crapper did not invent the first water closet, but he perfected and promoted it immensely. Through his bathroom fixture showrooms, he popularized flush toilets like no other. Fast forward to today, water closets are widespread in different parts of the world, and Thomas Crapper played a role in making toilets the way we know them today.
Thomas Crapper Day timeline
The very first toilets and sewers emerge in Mesopotamia.
Sir John Harington invents the flushing toilet.
Alexander Cumming and Joseph Bramah create an updated version of the water closet.
Thomas Crapper establishes his company and changes the crapper world forever.
How Businesses Can Celebrate Thomas Crapper Day
Local plumbing businesses can offer special discounts on toilet repair or installation services. Hardware stores and home improvement centers can highlight their range of water-saving toilets and bathroom accessories. Interior designers might showcase innovative bathroom designs or historical plumbing facts. Even restaurants could playfully incorporate the theme with ‘restroom refresh’ promotions or themed decor in their facilities.
Thomas Crapper Day FAQs
When is Thomas Crapper Day?
In 2027, Thomas Crapper Day is observed on Wednesday, January 27. This annual observance encourages us to reflect on an essential, yet often overlooked, invention.
Did Thomas Crapper invent the toilet?
Despite the common myth, Thomas Crapper was not the original inventor of the toilet. Instead, he was a prominent plumber and sanitary engineer in Victorian England who made significant improvements to existing designs, such as the water-saving ballcock mechanism.
What is the average lifespan of a toilet?
The lifespan of a toilet largely depends on its components. While the ceramic fixture can endure for decades, the working parts inside the tank, such as the flush valve and fill valve, generally have a shorter lifespan and may require more frequent replacement.
What is a ballcock mechanism?
The ballcock is a crucial component in a gravity-fed toilet, responsible for refilling the tank after a flush and preventing overflow. It consists of a float, a lever, and a valve, working together to maintain the correct water level for efficient flushing.
Thomas Crapper Day Activities
Visit the crapper
Go to the toilet and maybe (in a NOT weird way) say a little “thank you” to Thomas Crapper as you conveniently flush away. Without this invention, we’d certainly be left in the lurch!
See the crapper
There are still certain manhole covers in London with Crapper’s name on them. In fact, you can also find some of his old toilets in the region. If you have the chance, take this day to go out and spot them.
Learn about Crapper
If this is your first introduction to Thomas Crapper, or you are simply curious to learn more, research his different patents in the sanitary world. There are even published books that mention him.
5 Not-So-Gross Facts About Toilets
There’s technology involved
According to a study, the more apps you have on your phone, the longer you spend on the toilet.
They can be dangerous
King George II died falling off a toilet in 1760.
It’s unavoidable
On average, a person uses the toilet 2,500 times a year.
We go way back
The oldest functioning toilet is 4,000 years old and is in Greece.
Accidents happen
Over seven million Americans have dropped their phones in the toilet — yuck.
Why We Love Thomas Crapper Day
It celebrates the importance of improvements
The advancements Thomas Crapper made to improve and promote the toilet changed the world. Thomas Crapper Day is a chance for us to recognize his efforts.
It keeps us grounded in history
The history and different steps that lead to anything keep us grounded. This includes the fact that we can conveniently and hygienically flush from the comfort of our homes.
It’s a fun day
For real, who wouldn’t smile hearing that it’s Thomas Crapper Day? It’s a fun name and fun holiday dedication, and we’re here for it.
Thomas Crapper Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | January 27 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | January 27 | Thursday |
| 2029 | January 27 | Saturday |
| 2030 | January 27 | Sunday |
| 2031 | January 27 | Monday |
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