Portable toilet rental is an important part of any large event. Have you ever thought about portable toilet history? Portable toilets have a history that goes back thousands of years.
Starting with the Ancient Egyptians and continuing to be a lifesaver to this day! From simple stools to the chamber pot to the porta-potty, let’s take a quick look at what got us to where we are. Read on for a quick history of the porta-potty!
Through The Ages
Portable toilets started rough. In the tomb of a fourteenth-century B.C.E. architect in Egypt, archaeologists found a wooden box placed over some pottery, with holes cut in the box right over the pot. The box also contained ointments and kohl to refresh yourself.
By the sixth century B.C.E., the Greeks did away with the box and used pots in the bedroom. They were the first to use the infamous chamber pots. This trend continued for centuries until the first basic bathrooms started to appear.
Yet, the modern idea of the porta-potty didn’t emerge until the mid-twentieth century. A man named George Harding had an idea. It of course started as a way to make a workplace more efficient.
World War II
While George Harding worked on Liberty ships during World War II, he noticed that his workers lost a lot of time when they had to use the bathroom. They had to return to the docks to relieve themselves, and that could take a lot of time away from shipbuilding. So, Harding began working on a solution.
His first take on the porta-potty wasn’t ideal. They resembled outhouses made of wood and metal. They were also heavy and proved difficult to empty.
Of course, since deodorizers weren’t around yet, the workers complained about the smell quite a bit. It was a place to start, though. It would take another twenty years for Harding to take the next steps.
The First Patent
In the mid-1960s, Harding received his first patent for portable toilets. When he introduced a more modern version of the portable toilet ten years later, it took the industry by storm. He created the first from heavy, rigid plastic that made it easier to move and clean.
By the 1980s, they used polyurethane to build them and many industries used them. The polyurethane reduced the weight and made them even easier to clean. By 1984, so-called luxury portable restrooms were making their way onto the scene.
More Modern Conveniences
Today, porta-potties have as many amenities as full-fledged bathrooms do. While the most basic sort is still widely used, the lower cost of materials means better and more useful portable toilets are available. You can find single occupant stalls that have flushing toilets and running water.
On the higher end of things, you can find toilet trailers that include heated floors, showers, and air conditioning. All units have sanitation in mind when built. This makes them invaluable in emergency response situations.
Portable Toilet Rental
Portable toilet rental is a long way from simple boxes set over pottery. With sanitation and water conservation in mind, portable toilets save both lives and the environment every day.
Enjoy this article? Then don’t forget to contact FusionSite Services to rent out a portable toilet today!
