Josiah
George Jennings, the greatest sanitary engineer of Victorian Britain, died 130 years ago on 17th April 1882.
It is for his innovations in the field of sanitaryware and public health that his lasting reputation lies. He was the father of the British sanitaryware industry and inventor of the public toilet - coining the phrase "to spend a penny."
He was an extraordinarily energetic man. He was a member of the Royal Society of Arts and
over many years played a large part their discussions. He was also a Freemason
and a member of the Glass Sellers’ Company. Some of his ideas for santitaryware, for tip-up basins, twin basin closets and
even the wash-out ‘Monkey’ closet, for example - were overtaken but for ingenuity and courage, Jennings had no equal in sanitary science.
He was an extraordinarily energetic man. He was a member of the Royal Society of Arts and
over many years played a large part their discussions. He was also a Freemason
and a member of the Glass Sellers’ Company. Some of his ideas for santitaryware, for tip-up basins, twin basin closets and
even the wash-out ‘Monkey’ closet, for example - were overtaken but for ingenuity and courage, Jennings had no equal in sanitary science.
Here is Jennings Pedestal Vase, currently on show until 26 May 2012 at the Roca Gallery London, courtesy of Thomas Crapper and Company Ltd.