How Plumbing Saved Civilization

Civilization owes its survival to the humble plumber writes W. Hodding Carter.

1 minute read

July 19, 2006, 5:00 AM PDT

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech

"Without his inventions, the Harappan, circa 3000 BC, would not have even existed. He created unequaled contraptions for the sparkling Athenians while the austere Spartans wasted their time performing feats of strength and agility. The Romans worshiped his complex constructions, giving him not only a protective goddess but also the name by which we still know him today. European monks selfishly let him work his wonders in their monasteries even as their flock wallowed in filth and disease. The British empire awarded him medals of honor for his designs while the French played catch-up, always imitating but never quite equaling the British professional's work.

This unsung hero of human history was, of course, the Brain of Drains, the Hub of Tubs, the Power of Showers, the Brewer of Sewers â€¦ the humble plumber.

Yep, you owe it all to the much-maligned men in droopy drawers."

FULL STORY: Why we're flush with success

Monday, July 17, 2006 in The Los Angeles Times

Architecture History / Preservation World

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