The Porcelain God

Elvis died on one, and Charles V, ruler of Germany and Spain, was born on one. Although we use them every day, most of us know very little about toilets. This unique history contends that civilization began, not with the written word, but with the toilet.

Through advertisements, diaries, museum catalogs, and anecdotes, The Porcelain God explores the history of the toilet and the customs and manners that surround it. The result is an interesting study of both ancient and contemporary cultures.

The earliest toilets were found in the Indus Valley in the third millennium B.C. and evolved into the high-tech 20th century toilets of the Japanese. In the past, disposing human waste consisted of collecting the offense in a pot and throwing the contents out the window. In medieval London, it was said that London Bridge was built "for wise men to go over and fools to go under." London Bridge originally contained public latrines serving 38 houses built on the bridge. The waste from the latrines dropped directly into the Thames River...and onto anyone passing along under the bridge.

Everyone relieves themselves the same; only the facilities differ. King Henry VIII owned a closed stool made of black velvet, and studded with 2000 gold nails. The Sun King--Louis XIV of France--believed it improper to cut short a conversation to "go to the bathroom," so--often to the horror of uninitiated visitors--Louis would receive them while sitting on the pot!

Related topics include unique hygiene habits around the world, the evolution of toilet paper, military-space toilets, euphemistic sayings, and more. As the ultimate bathroom book, The Porcelain God offers an amusing diversion.

These pages are Netscape enhanced