@196 ->Email starletters@rim.co.uk Password: jonathan Subject: Thomas Crapper - "Loo must be joking" Thomas Crapper no more invented the mechanical flush toilet than Bill Gates invented the computer operating system ("Loo must be joking", 1-Nov-2000). They both made lots of money from *selling* their products. Water flushing closets were described in 1597 and Joseph Bramah patented one in 1778. Thomas Crapper was born in Thorne, near Doncaster, in 1836. He moved to London and set up his plumbing business in 1861 where he had a factory at the Marlborough Works in Chelsea. As with common practice, his products had his name on them, in much the same was a car may have 'Ford' on it. Crapper patented six devices, including a drain vent, a method of pipe connection, a foot-operated flush lever and a sealed drain cover. Many of these drain covers can still be seen all over the UK, particulary one in Westminster Abbey. His company also installed the drains and plumbing in Sandringham House in the 1880s and in Park House where Princess Diane was born. There is reason to believe his company installed the drains and plumbing in the Barracks at Hillsborough. Thomos Crapper & Co are still trading in Stratford-on-Avon. Thay are at The Stable Yard, Alscot Park, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 8BL Tel: 01789 450522 http://www.thomascrapper.co.uk [I was interviewed last year for a television documentary on urban municipal toilets where I described the history and architectural perculiarities of Sheffield's public toilets.] -- Cllr J.G.Harston Liberal Democrat Councillor for Walkley Ward, Sheffield City Council J.G.Harston is available for interview on this and other subjects.