The plumbing industry is filled with many weird and interesting facts. We thought it would be fun to share some of those interesting facts. Surprise many of your friends or family with your plumbing knowledge!
1. The origin of plumbing dates all the way back to 2700 BC when the Indus Valley Civilization developed earthen plumbing pipes out of asphalt.
2. Romans created lead pipes with inscriptions for the owner or manufacturer to prevent water theft.
3. Manhole covers are circular so when turned sideways it prevents them from falling through the opening.
4. Kohler created a voice activated toilet so you never have to touch a handle again! However, the voice commanded toilet first became popular in Japan.
5. A recent study by the Environmental Health Perspectives showed that our sewer systems contain large traces of many different drugs, legal and illegal, due to the fact our body excretes over 90% of it through our urine.
6. One of the most famous groups of “plumbers” was from the White House. The White House Plumbers or otherwise known as the White House Special Investigation Unit under former President Richard Nixon were tasked with fixing all “leaks” of classified information to the media.
7. During October of 1760, King George II of Great Britain died after falling off his toilet.
8. The average person spends around 3 years of their life sitting on the toilet.
9. These are a few famous celebrities who worked in the plumbing industry before their careers. Michael Caine, known mostly from his role as Alfred in the Dark Knight Trilogy, was a plumber’s assistant before his film career. Also, Ozzy Osbourne dropped out of school to become a plumber’s assistant before becoming one of the most famous rock artists of all time.
10. John Gotti, the famous boss of the Gambino crime family, used a plumbing supplier as a front to launder money.
11. Over 5.3 million miles of copper piping has been installed across the United States, and that would wrap the Earth over 200 times.
12. Around 40% of water consumed by homes is just from flushing toilets.
13. Around 2.5 billion people worldwide do not have access to proper plumbing systems/facilities.
14. In 1939, Al Moen invented the first single handle faucet that could control both the hot and cold water with a single turn.
15. Contrary to popular belief, toilets do not flush water the opposite direction in the southern hemisphere.
