IN THE QUIRKS By Glen Mikkelsen, CVE HISTORY OF THE THE TOILET FLUSH WITH THE BIZARRE PLEASE BE SEATED! This past summer, it was reported that 28,000 pounds of
Base Camp. That is 14 tons of feces literally hauled on the backs of sherpas, down the mountain trails, and dumped into a frozen lake bed.
of excrement on one of the most inhospitable places on facilities - many of which are located in our community’s most picturesque locations. Frankly, without the technological advancements and
convenience of the modern toilet, our industry would not be what it is to- day. The sheer volume of waste that toilets ca- pably move into sewers, and then to waste- water treatment plants, empow- ers our facilities
Chantelle Dubois writes, “Moder n plumbing, water treatment, and sewage systems are perhaps some of the most important inventions to have enabled large cities to thrive, limiting the impact of water-borne illness and disease, and giving mankind the foundation to innovate and thrive in the modern day. The porcelain architecture, and is rarely given the credit it is due when it comes to how much its invention has impacted health and culture with respect to human life.” Considering their indelible impact in our society and in-
dustry, let us take a quick look at the toilet’s history. Initially, it was on the island of Crete, where the Minoans pioneered water management systems. Around 1,700 B.C, Minoans constructed pipes and aqueducts to transport wastewater
and drinking water. Across the Mediterranean Sea, the Romans built upon these technologies. The Aqua Appia was built in 312 BC to meet Rome’s need for water. Made from lead and concrete, Using this water, the Romans built communal bathrooms.
With up to 80 seats, Romans sat next to their neighbours without walls. Patrons likely had a measure of privacy due to their long garments. But these facilities were typically rank, darkly lit, and people did not loiter. The sewer system moved the waste straight into the Tiber River. Besides a hole in the seat, many toilets were designed with a narrower slit ex- tending forward and down over the edge in a key- hole shaped gap. It is believed these gaps aided clean- ing. Patrons used communal spong- es on sticks to clean themselves. They would then clean the sponges in a small channel by their feet. Archeologist Ann Koloski-Os-
tro speculates that explosive gases may have been a problem. out of one of those holes because of the methanic gases that built up in the sewer underneath the toilet.” It appears Romans had a common fear of public toilets.
Many Roman latrines had small shrines to the goddess For- tuna. Archeologists suggest that Fortuna was thought to pro- tect latrine-users from illness-causing demons, as well as other unpleasant things that could happen there. Common diseas- es included whipworm, roundworm, and dysentery causing parasites. Just like in contemporary facilities, archeologists have dis- covered that even in Ancient Rome, people liked to write graf-
18 Facility Manager Magazine
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