Alexander Cummings

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Alexander Cumming invented the flush toilet under English patent number 814 in 1775.

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The first patent for the flushing toilet (English patent #814) was issued in 1775 to Alexander Cumming, a London watchmaker. Cumming designed a toilet in which some water remained in the bowl after each flush to stop sewer gasses from leaking into the house creating an unsavory odor. No one was aware at that time, that sewer gasses were highly explosive, as well as great bacteria carriers.

Sir John Harington had invented a water closet In 1596 with a proper flush. He built one in his house and his godmother, Queen Elizabeth I, used it. She was so impressed that she had a "John" built at Richmond Palace. Unfortunately, it was knocked down after John Harington died and the toilet dropped into obscurity for nearly 200 years, until 1775 when London watchmaker Alexander Cumming patented the forerunner of today's toilet.