Imagine for a moment that you’re living in ancient Rome and need to take a bath. You heat several buckets of water up on the stove, hop in, and dump your wastewater out of the window when you’re finished. Oh, the life of luxury! Yet, with aqueducts and pipes, Romans were arguably the founders of the modern-day plumbing system and led the way for further development. Humans have been developing new and better ways to move water in and out of our homes for centuries. In this post, we’ll take a look at the evolution of plumbing from ancient times to today. Let’s get started, shall we?
Ancient Plumbing: Egyptians and Indians (4000-2500 B.C.)
The first evidence of plumbing is from the ancient Egyptians and Indians. They developed systems of copper piping to transport water from natural sources like wells and springs to homes and public baths.
Ancient Egyptians developed the first copper plumbing pipes, which replaced earlier versions made from baked clay and straw. They also developed the water wheel and drilled up to 300 feet deep wells. It is known thus because of the discovery of plumbing systems in the pyramid tombs.
Crete (1500-1000 B.C.)
The Minoans of Crete were some of the earliest known civilizations to use plumbing systems. These intricate networks of drains and pipes were used to carry wastewater away from homes and public baths.
While the design and function of these systems are still somewhat unknown, it’s clear that the Minoans took their plumbing seriously. One of the most famous Minoan ruins, the Palace of Knossos, features a complex drainage system that is still in use today.
Assyrians (710 B.C.)
The Assyrians were some of the first to develop plumbing systems in their homes. These early systems used gravity and lead to transport water from cisterns and storage tanks. The Assyrians also had a series of pipes that ran through their walls and under floors, allowing them to heat or cool their homes as needed.
Roman Plumbing (500 B.C.-455 A.D.)
The Romans were the earliest adopters of plumbing. They developed lead piping to transport water at great distances without losing pressure. They also created elaborate drainage systems. This answers the question of who invented the plumbing and sewage system.
Perhaps the most iconic Roman plumbing invention is the water closet or toilet. This early version was a large, marble-covered booth that sat over a hole in the ground. It was designed to be used in public places, like bathhouses and taverns.
English Plumbing (1596 A.D.)
The English inventor John Harrington is credited with creating the first flushing toilet. His design, which he called the Ajax, was a ceramic bowl that sat on top of a wooden frame. A tank filled with water was attached to the frame, and when you pulled a chain, the water would flow into the bowl and flush away your waste.
While Harrington’s design was an improvement over earlier designs, it was still quite cumbersome and required a fair amount of maintenance.
French Plumbing (1644 A.D.)
The French were the first to develop a system of indoor plumbing that could be installed in homes and buildings. This early system used pipes made from lead, a very common material at the time.
While this system effectively carried water indoors, it had some significant drawbacks. First, lead is a toxic material that can cause health problems if ingested. Second, the pipes were very fragile and often leaked.
Despite these problems, the French system set the standard for indoor plumbing that would lead the way for centuries.
Scottish Plumbing (1755 A.D.)
One of the most famous early plumbers was a Scotsman named James Watt. Historians credit Watt with inventing the steam engine, which revolutionized how water could be pumped and moved. This led to the development of more efficient water systems, which allowed for the growth of modern plumbing.
English and Americans (1800s A.D.)
English and Americans in the 1800s A.D. continued the work of their predecessors, inventing and developing new plumbing technologies to solve the same issues and improve sanitary conditions in homes and public places. One of the most famous plumbers of this period was John Michael Lyons, credited with inventing the first flushing toilet.
As you can imagine, Lyons’ invention was a vital advancement in plumbing technology and helped improve public health by making it easier for people to dispose of their waste sanitary. Thanks to men like John Michael Lyons, English and American plumbers have made significant contributions to the modern plumbing system that we take for granted today.
Modern Plumbing: The 1900s to Today
In the early 1900s, modern plumbing was still in its infancy. The first indoor toilets appeared in the mid-1800s, but it would be decades before they became common in homes across America. Most people relied on outhouses or chamber pots in the early days of plumbing.
A man named John McAdam invented the modern plumbing system in the early 1900s, and he is credited with inventing the sewer system and the modern toilet. Before this, plumbing was a very primitive and dangerous profession.
The first international standards for plumbing were set in 2003 by the International Code Council. In 2015, California adopted one of the strictest water-saving standards in the country, which requires all toilets to flush no more than 1.28 gallons of water at a time.
Conclusion
The history of plumbing tells the story of human development and invention. While the basic concepts have stayed the same, materials and methods of plumbing, have evolved to create a more efficient and reliable system. We can learn from the history of plumbing that this is a dynamic, ever-advancing, and developing phenomenon. Modern plumbing professionals like Cates Heating and Cooling enhance their knowledge by understanding the history of plumbing and following its modern advancement.
If you’re looking for a modern plumbing experience, schedule a service with Cates Heating & Cooling. Our team of experts can help you with everything from repairs to replacements to maintenance. We offer a complete protection package that covers HVAC, plumbing, and electrical services, so you can rest assured that your home is in good hands.
