Flush Toilet

bathroom · plumbing · invention · sanitation

Water does the work. When you press the handle or button, a tank of water dumps quickly into the bowl with such force that it pushes all the waste down through pipes and away from your home.

Comes in two styles. Some flush toilets have a seat you sit on, while others are designed for squatting, which is common in many parts of the world.

Waste goes somewhere safe. The toilet sends everything to either a nearby treatment plant or a community facility where it gets cleaned and processed so it doesn't hurt the environment.

Porcelain is popular. Most home toilets are made from smooth, shiny porcelain because it's easy to clean and lasts a long time, though public bathrooms might use metal or other tough materials.

Toilet paper dissolves. Modern sewage systems are built to handle toilet paper because it breaks apart in water, and scientists are now studying whether wet wipes can work the same way.