Comparing and Contrasting Toilets
from the Industrial Revolution
Brandon Volpicelli | Phase-2 Research | IARC 475 | March 14, 2021
The Industrial Revolution showed the evolution of countless innovations. Meyer-Sniffen Co. developed over 45 different water closets with adjustments of traps, shapes, materials, and flushing techniques in this setting.
Each Meyer-Sniffen model contains a cistern several feet above the basin and some form of flushing upon completion. Yet, numerous differences can be spotted showing the growth of the toilet over this period of time. The beginning of the catalog depicts a large basin with a pull lever for flushing that holds water in its basin prior to use. This idea doesn’t circle back until the No. 30 model which is shocking since that is what is used in current examples. The other differences are the style in which the basins were flushed and their shapes.
Upon their research the initial idea of holding water in the basin was found to be a waste. An unfilled basin that flushes before and after saves water for each use. The style of flush, after the initial lever had been adapted into both the pressure plate and pull chain, continued to vary between those two adaptations in future iterations. The size of the bowl was also adjusted as a means to need less water to flush.
Inspiration due to innovations of the Industrial Revolution would be the use of a trap built into the unit and materiality of the water closets and cisterns. An interesting sight was the trap that kept being added and subtracted from the unit over time. The materials kept progressing, the basin became porcelain then shifted to earthenware and the trap adapted to stronger materials. It can be seen that small adjustments to parts are being made as they are being invented. One example is the new clamp additions that connect the basin to the trap and then to the ground. As the models progress these change metals, keeping up with the most modern versions..
There are three similarities from the toilets of this time and that of the current examples in the USA; material, shape, flush action. In the 21st century, toilets are made out of porcelain which was seen in several examples from the Industrial Revolution. The shape of the basin matches that of the iterations from No. 30 and above. The flush action is similar to modern flushing however, instead of pulling on a cord it is a handle that reacts the same way causing the flush of water that was being held in the basin. The true difference is the cistern being held so high, now it is contained all in one simple unit together sitting as nearly a backrest on the toilet.
Six categories can be made of the toilets from the Meyer-Sniffen Water-Closets of the Industrial Revolution; the arrangement of the trap with the subcategories of in-ground or above ground, the next is the flushing system with lever, pressure plate, and pull chain as its subcategories, and the outliers of the group which are multi-person use and self flushing toilets.
Trap Placement
In-Ground Traps; No. 10, No. 16, No. 23, and No. 27
No. 10 Plate 22; A Hellyer Artisan Hopper flushed from the Meyer-Sniffen Co.’s Waste Preventing Cistern with Chain and Tassel
–A cord is pulled in order to draw water from the cistern to wash the excrements down. Water is to be flushed before and after use so that the basin is wet prior to use and clean after. This water closet has no S or P Trap built in which means it relies on one being in place in the pre-existing building under the floor. (Page 24)
Figure 1. No.10 Plate 22 (Page 24)
No. 16 Plate 32; A Hellyer Artisan Hopper flushed from the Meyer-Sniffen Co.’s Waste Preventing Cistern Arranged to Operate by the Door
—A water closet in a closet, when the door is opened a chain is pulled through a pulley contraption flushing the toilet to wet the Hopper. It continues to expel water down however it is held to a limit to not release a constant heavy flow of water. Once complete the door closes flushing the excrements and ready to be opened and used again. Trap not included, required in the infrastructure below the water closet. (Page 32)
Figure 2. No. 16 Plate 32 (Page 32)
No. 23 Plate 38; Hellyer Long Hopper with “Em Ess” Cast Lead Lined Syphon Cistern with Chain and Tassel
—Improved flushing rim to keep bowl wet before and after use. Chain and tassel flush action with no built in trap, must be in the infrastructure. (Page 40)
Figure 3. No. 23 Plate 38 (Page 40)
No. 27 Plate 42; Hellyer Artisan Hopper, flushed with small “Em Ess” Cast Lead Lined, Air Pipe, Valve Cistern with Chain and Tassel.
—A very similar adaptation of the model No. 14, this included the “Em Ess” cistern system. No trap above ground requiring the infrastructure to supply one. (Page 44)
Figure 4. No. 27 Plate 42 (Page 44)
Trap Placement
Above Ground / In Unit Traps; No. 12, No. 24, No. 26, and No. 30
Figure 5. No. 12 Plate 26 (Page 28)
No. 12 Plate 26; Hellyer Short Artisan Hopper with earthen trap set above the floor, flushed from the Meyer-Sniffen Co.’s No. 4 Patent Regulator Sure-Supply Cistern With Chain and Tassel
—A built into unit trap that sits above the floor and doesn’t require a preset trap in infrastructure. Uses a chain for the flush system and must be flushed before and after use to wet and clean the basin. (Page 28)
Figure 6. No. 24 Plate 39 (Page 41)
No. 24 Plate 39; Hellyer Short Artisan Hopper with earthenware trap to set above the floor and “Em Ess” Cast Lead Lined Syphon Cistern with Chain and Tassel
—Simple pull flush toilet system with trap above ground making it easier to place in the building. Very similar to model No. 12 however uses the “Em Ess” cistern system. (Page 41)
Figure 7. No. 26 Plate 41 (Page 43)
No. 26 Plate 41; Hellyer Short Artisan Hopper with earthenware trap to set above the floor, flushed by No. 7 “Em Ess” Cast Lead-lined cistern with Chain and Tassel.
—The basin being a similar model to No. 14, however an above ground trap and a chain to pull as the flushing system still needs to be flushed before and after use. Above ground trap allows it to be placed anywhere. (Page 43)
Figure 8. No. 30 Plate 44 (Page 47)
No. 30 Plate 44; Brighton Water-closet, cistern, brackets, patent floor flange, Chain and Tassel.
—Extreme jump to modern shape of the toilet. All one piece, trap behind the bowl rather than to the side and the bowl constantly holds water until flush by pull of the chain. (Page 47)
Flushing Systems
Lever Pull; No. 1, No. 7, No. 9, and No. 11
No. 1 Plate 1; Meyer-Sniffen Co.’s Water Closet Apparatus, Hellyer
—Ovular shaped basin with lever contraption to flush. No built in trap, infrastructure requires it below the placement. This toilet is always ⅔ full of water and is flushed with 8 gallons of water from the cistern. (Page 4)
Figure 9. No. 1 Plate 1 (Page 4)
No. 7 Plate 16; Hellyer Artisan Hopper, flushed from the Meyer-Sniffen Co.’s No. 4 Cistern, Cup, Pull, and Standard.
—The basin now circular and is empty prior to use, needing the handle to be lifted before and after use, to wet the bowl. There is no built in trap making it required in the infrastructure. (Page 18)
Figure 10. No. 7 Plate 16 (Page 18)
No. 9 Plate 20; Hellyer Artisan Hopper, flushed with The Meyer-Sniffen Co.’s No. 8 Waste Preventing Cistern, Cup, Pull, and Standard
—Similar to No. 7, lifting the handle is required to wet the basin prior and post use. Also has no trap above ground requiring it in the infrastructure as well. The one difference from No. 7 is the size of the cistern. (Page 22)
Figure 11. No. 9 Plate 20 (Page 22)
No. 11 Plate 24; Hellyer Short Hopper with earthen trap set above the floor, flushed from the Meyer-Sniffen Co.’s No. 4 Pat. Regulator Sure-Supply Cistern, Cup, Pull, and Standard.
—An improved shape and flushing rim, with brass connection to earthenware trap. Handle still needs to be lifted prior and post use to wet the bowl as the bowl doesn’t hold water. (Page 26)
Figure 12. No. 11 Plate 24 (Page 26)
Flushing Systems
Pressure Plates; No. 3, No. 5, No. 31, and No. 33
Figure 13. No. 3 Plate 3 (Page 6)
No. 3 Plate 3; Water Closet Apparatus with Improved Flushing Rim, flushed from the Meyer-Sniffen Co.’s Patent Regulator No. 2 Waste Preventing Cistern Complete with Seat and all attachments.
—The first pressure plated seat, when sat upon it flushes to wet the bowl and then when the weight is lifted the bowl is flushed again. This basin has an improved flushing rim and no above ground trap. (Page 6)
Figure 14. No. 5 Plate 11 (Page 13)
No. 5 Plate 11; Hellyer Short Artisan Hopper with earthenware trap to set above the floor, flushed from the Meyer-Sniffen Co.’s Patent Regulator No. 2 Waste Preventing Cistern
—A pressure plated flush system that activated when sat upon for before and after use flushing. Improved cistern and added trap above floor were the changes made to No. 3. (Page 13)
Figure 15. No. 31 Plate 46 (Page 49)
No. 31 Plate 46; Brighton Water Closet– To work automatically flushed from the Meyer-Sniffen Co.’s Regulator No. 2 Waste-Preventing Cistern.
—This model uses the previous model, No. 30, all one unit, trap behind the bowl rather than to the side. Uses a pressure plate attachment as a flushing system control. (Page 49)
Figure 16. No. 33 Plate 50 (Page 53)
No. 33 Plate 50; Brighton Water Closet without trap, to work automatically, flushed from the Meyer-Sniffen Co.’s Regulator No. 2 Waste Preventing Cistern.
—New model of the toilet, a sleeker design however the trap is not included. Use of pressure plate flushing makes it simple for users, as it works automatically. (Page 53)
Flushing Systems
Chain and Tassel; No. 8, No. 15, No. 28, and No. 32
No. 8 Plate 18; Hellyer Artisan Hopper Flushed from the Meyer-Sniffen Co.’s No. 4 Cistern with Chain and Tassel.
—Same model as prior, No. 7, with the addition of a pull cord rather than the lever. Flushing needs to be prior and post use to wet the bowl and this model saves about 2 dollars a use. No trap in this iteration. (Page 20)
Figure 17. No. 8 Plate 18 (Page 20)
No. 15 Plate 30; Hellyer Artisan Hopper, flushed from the Meyer-Sniffen Co.’s Waste Preventing Cistern arranged to Operate by the Door.
—The use of the Model No. 11 with the closet attachment. Helps to conceal the toilet while also activating it upon opening and closing of the closet door which pulls the chain for the user. No trap on this iteration. (Page 32)
Figure 18. No. 15 Plate 30 (Page 32)
No. 28 Plate 43; Hellyer Short Artisan Hopper with earthenware trap to set above floor, flushed with small “Em Ess” cast lead line, air-pipe, valve cistern with Chain and Tassel.
—Similar to the Model No. 14, however with a trap connection. Uses a pull cord to flush before and after use to ensure wetting of the bowl, water released from the “Em Ess” cistern system. (Page 45)
Figure 19. No. 28 Plate 43 (Page 45)
No. 32 Plate 48; Brighton Water Closet, without trap, cistern, brackets, with Chain and Tassel. “The Brighton without trap is intended to be put where the trap is already in, or where pirates prefer it below the floor.”
—This toilet takes the innovative and novel design model of No. 30 and makes a few adjustments. The main shift is the lack of a trap which requires specific placement in the infrastructure. Uses a pull cord for flushing and just needs to be used once due to it already being full of water. (Page 51)
Figure 20. No. 32 Plate 48 (Page 51)
Other Outliers from the Catalog
Multiple Joined Water Closets; No. 4 and No. 6
Figure 21. No. 4 Plate 9 (Page 11)
No. 4 Plate 9; Hellyer No. 4 Water Closet Apparatus
—This iteration is based off of No. 3 however it is a connection of multiple toilets together. A function highly valued during the Industrial Revolution in factories, railway stations, schools, etc. where the toilets are in constant use. This model uses pressure plates to draw water from the massive cistern to wash away the excrement and wet the basin before and after use. There is no trap requiring it in the infrastructure below the floor. (Page 11)
Figure 22. No. 6 Plate 15 (Page 17)
No. 6 Plate 15; Hellyer Short Artisan Hopper with Earthenware Trap to Set Above the Floor
—This multi-toilet can be as long as needed in the proposal of the client. Adaptation of No. 4, using the pressure plate similarly. However this iteration uses above the ground traps making it easier to use in the building. Used for public places much like the previous multi-toilet. (Page 17)
Other Outliers from the Catalog
Automatic Flushing; No. 13
No. 13 Plate 28; Rhoads’ Porcelain-Seated Hopper, with flush tank for use in exposed places where water is liable to freeze.
—This toilet not only has a novel shape for the time, but has an unheard of aspect of self flushing. The unit will flush at intervals determined by the user but it doesn’t need to be activated during use. It helps keep water from freezing in pipes of cold places but also the use in urinals to keep units clean. (Page 30)
Figure 23. No. 13 Plate 28 (Page 30)
Bibliography
Meyer-Sniffen co., limited [from old catalog. Illustrated Catalogue of Water-Closet and Bathing Arrangements for Public and Private Places. [New York], 1884. Internet Archive, http://archive.org/details/illustratedcatal02meye
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