Monday, December 1, 2008

Last night my 2 boys joined the universe of males who have shared the same moment of joy: they learned the flush toilet was invented by Thomas Crapper

I promise you it was better than Christmas morning.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Is that true? Love this blog, witty and educational.

Anonymous said...

Sorry not true, he did invent toilet related things but he did not invent the toilet. Harrington or Cummings are the better choices. I would think your husband knows such things...

JerseySjov said...

anonymous doesnt understand joy

Ronan Doyle said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I understand, JerseySjov, I would just hope that her sons learn the correct information for that final question in a game show maybe. It's only funny if its true.

Amy Flanagan said...

Okay, Thomas Crapper didn't INVENT the flush toilet, but he is credited for popularizing it. He was called an advertising genius because he was the first to showcase toilets - not only in his store, but in his store window! At first women fainted and people were disgusted, but soon everyone grew more comfortable seeing them and they started putting them in their homes. Eventually he was invited to install one for the Prince of Wales and then the idea took off. My kids read about this in a book called PICK ME UP. It was an article about historic moments that increased life expectancy. So, while he did not actual INVENT the toilet, he could arguable be called the "Johnny Appleseed of Toilets." And he made the world a better place through them. Oddly, the word crap predates Crapper, so I guess he just took a bad name and ran with it. You've got to respect that.
I will take the blame for shortening his credit in order to make it fit into the theme of "theshortestblogintheworld." (And also, that's how I remembered my brother's telling the story, too.)
I do have to say, even if there hadn't been any truth to it, it's still would have been pretty funny. Come on!
BTW, he DID have the patent for that device that shuts off the water when the tank is full. He named it the ballcock. He must have known he had a name thing going on. Pure genius. (Go ahead. Google Crapper Ballcock. If you don't think that's funny, let's talk.)

JerseySjov said...

ha! ballcock.

Anonymous said...

I think it is very funny and my kids did too, and are of course asking everyone they meet now, "do you know who invented the toliet?"....pause "John Crapper" of course they can barley get the name out they are laughing so hard
-thanks for the laughs and the "schooling"

Anonymous said...

Sorry I'm a teacher and just want children to learn the right history, I knew about the ballcock thing, but the name relationship doesn't work. I felt the shortest blog ever didn't need to run so long with further details.

Anonymous said...

HA HA !Well I thought your post was funny because Jack (age 3 1/2) thinks all things fart related are a laugh riot. But your whole clarification of who invented it and the ballcock thing and the "if you don't think this is funny..." Thanks for the laugh.

Anonymous said...

just wait until they find out who invented the bra.