January 27th is Thomas Crapper Day

If you're looking for something to do today then grab a newspaper and have a seat because it's Thomas Crapper Day!

It may be based on a myth but it celebrates an invention we all know and love.

So let's get right into celebrating Thomas Crapper Day!

Why is this a holiday?

While this holiday is set aside to celebrate a very handy invention, the toilet or "crapper", there is a little myth behind what exactly Thomas Crapper is known for.

You see, a lot of people like to attribute the patent of the flushing toilet to Thomas Crapper, but that really isn't the case at all. John Harrington actually invented the flushing toilet in 1596, Joseph Bramah patented the first "water closet" in in 1778 and Edward Jennings also took out a patent in 1852 for flushing toilets.

But what about Thomas Crapper? He was a "sanitary engineer" in the 19th century in London who held nine plumbing related patents. None of his patents had anything to do with flushing toilets but he did however improve the floating ballcock in toilet tanks with three of his patents. This is the thing in your toilet tank that open and closes a value to let your tank drain and fill back up based on the water levels in the tank.

Crapper also went around promoting sanitary plumbing fixtures and it appears that he would make it look like he did in fact invent the flushing toilet. He would name things in his name as he promoted them and then slap someone elses patent number on it. What a shady Crapper!

But he did have a nephew named George who patented his idea to improve the siphon system in 1898. It appears that the love for plumbing runs in the family.

So while he didn't invent flushing toilets, he seemed to model his life around these well-needed bathroom fixtures. So, we'll keep the myth going and celebrate in his name!

 So how exactly can you celebrate today?

Well, you can go about your daily life and as you go to use your toilet you can ponder and give thanks to all the people who put in work to improve the porcelain throne you're sitting on.  I mean, could you imagine going without it?

You can also show your appreciate for this invention by cleaning your toilet today!  I know, that doesn't sound like a fun celebration at all but I'm sure your toilet would appreciate it.  And if you're married, I bet your wife would appreciate it too!

If you have kids you could even start potty training them today.  Boy, I'm really coming up with some fun celebration ideas, aren't I?

And lastly, you could go shopping for a new toilet.  Go see if you can find one that uses less water to help you be more eco-friendly every time you flush.  Or maybe you could just use a nice new toilet lid.   I actually saw one today that's heated, cleans itself AND lifts up when you walk in the room!  Crazy, huh?

I hope you have a great day today and don't forget to flush, put the seat down and wash your hands!