††††In 1886, Thomas Crapper developed the modern form of flush toilet. It contained a tank of reserve water above the bowl and a chain and lever system that produced the flushing action. There was also a U-bend in the pipe leading to the sewer.
The "Washdown" toilet which has a ball valve in the tank, as is used today, was invented in 1889.
Early lavatory bowls were generally made of metal, but from about 1870 the cheaper ceramic bowls replaced them.
