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Revision as of 07:45, 16 May 2003 by Nevilley (talk | contribs) (sp baptized)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Thomas Crapper (baptized September 26, 1836 - January 27, 1910) was a plumber who owned a company by the name of Thomas Crapper & Co. in England. One common myth has it that he invented the flush toilet, but none of the patents he held were for that device. Alexander Cumming was the inventor of the flush toilet.
In the United States, the word "crapper" is a synonym for "toilet", although it is not clear if this has anything to do with Thomas Crapper. The verb "to crap", meaning "to defecate" has been in use in the English language at least since 1846, and according to one theory, the word "crapper" simply developed from this. According to another theory, Crapper's advertising of flush toilets caused his name to become a synonym for them, and people then assumed they were his invention.
The manhole covers with his company's name on them in Westminster Abbey are now a minor tourist attraction.
Adam Hart-Davis has written a book on the history of the toilet, entitled Thunder, Flush and Thomas Crapper, which addresses many of the myths surrounding Thomas Crapper and his inventions.