November 25, 2025
The ENTIRE History of Toilets (From Mudbrick to Modern Plumbing)
History For Sleep with the Drowsy HistorianAbout this episode
Get early episodes & ad-free audio on Patreon: https://patreon.com/DrowsyHistorian From the first clay drains of Mesopotamia to the invisible pipes beneath modern cities, this is the story of civilization’s quietest miracle — sanitation. Discover how ancient engineers, monks, nobles, and modern inventors all faced the same question: what happens after we’re done? It’s a journey through 5,000 years of plumbing, privacy, and progress — from marble latrines of Rome to London’s Great Stink, from the garderobes of medieval castles to the porcelain thrones of the twentieth century. Every empire rises for glory, but survives for plumbing. 🛏️ Drowsy Historian’s Favorite Sleep Tools Looking to upgrade your nighttime routine? These are a few things I personally use or recommend: • Sleep Earbuds for Enhanced Immersion → https://amzn.to/47ccNqV • Blanket Soft Enough to Make the Plague Feel Tolerable → https://amzn.to/3GSOq8f • Weighted Blanket for Pretending You’re a Mummified Pharaoh → https://amzn.to/4kVJCgE • Sleep Mask Headphones For Total Historical Escape → https://amzn.to/4nWsNVn • Book Light for Reading About Plagues at 2AM → https://amzn.to/4eSg0iu • White Noise Machine for Blocking Out the 21st Century → https://amzn.to/3GJ9jTw These are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show while staying cozy. 🛏️ Drowsy Historian’s Favorite Sleep Tools Looking to upgrade your nighttime routine? These are a few things I personally use or recommend: • Sleep Earbuds for Enhanced Immersion → https://amzn.to/47ccNqV • Blanket Soft Enough to Make the Plague Feel Tolerable → https://amzn.to/3GSOq8f • Weighted Blanket for Pretending You’re a Mummified Pharaoh → https://amzn.to/4kVJCgE • Sleep Mask Headphones For Total Historical Escape → https://amzn.to/4nWsNVn • Book Light for Reading About Plagues at 2AM → https://amzn.to/4eSg0iu • White Noise Machine for Blocking Out the 21st Century → https://amzn.to/3GJ9jTw These are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show while staying cozy.