Urinals have been around in the United States since 1866. In that year, Andrew Rankin patented an upright flushing apparatus. While not considered ancient, a possibly water free urinal was in operation in the Sri Lanka town of Polonnaruwa sometime between 800 and 1100. Yet, while this is possible, the traditional urinal was prominent in America until recently.
Early American Urinals
Rankin’s invention received considerable acceptance in urban areas, particularly in the North following the Civil War. The influx of immigrants and the increase in technology and industry resulted in the rapid growth of cities and factories. It also meant these cities and facilities required improved sanitary conditions. Outhouses had been sufficient until this new expansion. Now, the increase in population and the crowded living conditions sparked fear of outbreaks of diverse deadly diseases.
Architectural changes and the adoption of urinals instead of washroom stalls in public spaces went some way to reducing these fears in the 19th and early 20th centuries. In factories, not only did urinals occupy less space, they also required less time away from work. To factory owners and managers, time meant money. By moving the washroom facilities closer to the shop floor, they reduced the time way from the job further.
After World War II
Following World War II, urinals remained popular. They were, however, still gender restrictive, a problem that is common even among the water free urinal units today. While urinals for women did make an appearance, they did not have the appeal or the proper mechanisms, style or marketing campaign to encourage acceptance. In fact, even today, female urinals, although they do exist, do not seem to be catching on.
Urinals did change in style over the decades following World War II. Manufacturing firms designed and produced different models and sizes. These reflected cultural changes as well as the recognition of the different attributes of people. Such characteristics are still common as today’s producers manufacture smaller urinals for children and different heights for “normal” as well as taller individual users. This is common at such public places as airports where no-touch technology has improved the sanitary aspect of urinal usage.
Urinals Today and the Rise of the Water Free Urinal
Today, while urinals still abound in public places such as airports, bus depots, arenas and sporting/concert event halls, advances in technology and a shift in culture has resulted in the invention of water free or flushless urinals. These devices reflect a philosophy that recognizes the need for reducing water usage. Furthermore, when a business, corporation or public entity installs a water free urinal system, it is declaring to the public it is part of the solution and not the problem. This marketing ploy, together with a significant saving in water costs is enough of a reason for more companies in the future to adopt this approach.