What is Thomas Crapper best known for?

McGruff

Thomas Crapper holds nine patents: Four for improvements to drains, three for water closets, one for manhole covers and the last for pipe joints. Every patent application for plumbing related products filed by Crapper made it through the process, and actual patents were granted. The most famous product attributed to Thomas Crapper wasn't invented by him at all. The 'Silent Valveless Water Waste Preventer' (No. 814) was a siphonic discharge system that allowed a toilet to flush effectively when the cistern was only half full. British Patent 4990 for 1819 was issued to a Mr. Albert Giblin for this product. There are a couple of theories on how Thomas Crapper came to be associated with this device. First, is that Giblin worked for Crapper as an employee and authorized his use of the product. The second, and more likely scenario, says Grabowski, is that Crapper bought the patent rights from Giblin and marketed the device himself. http://www.plumbingworld.com/historythomas.html Jun 04 00, 9:26 PM