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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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water closet
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It is a cherished English belief that the water closet or flush toilet was invented by Sir John Harington, the godson of *Elizabeth I, and that he installed one to her great satisfaction in *Richmond or *Greenwich Palace. There is no direct evidence of this, but it is possible. His pamphlet of 1596, with its punning title The Metamorphosis of Ajax ('a jakes' was a contemporary name for a lavatory), includes a woodcut showing how a water closet should be installed.
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All the modern ingredients are there: the overhead cistern (complete with overflow pipe), from which tubes lead down to the lavatory pan; a shaped seat to sit on; and a water trap sealing off odours from the sewage tank below. The necessary parts for the carpenter and plumber are individually costed, coming to a total of 30 shillings and 8 pence. If it was not built, it deserved to be; but it was certainly far ahead of its time. The term 'water closet' first appears in the 18C, as do patents for flushing systems – notably that of Joseph Bramah in 1778.
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