History Extra podcast

Toilets through time | 4. Victorian lavatories

Aug 14, 2024
Join historian Jerry White, known for his expertise on Victorian Britain, as he delves into the quirky world of 19th-century sanitation. He reveals startling disparities in toilet access across social classes and the humorous euphemisms that emerged from this era. Discover how innovative sewerage systems clashed with dire public health crises, and how dietary habits influenced sanitation practices. The evolution of hygiene and the contributions of figures like Thomas Crapper shed light on broader societal shifts during a time when cleanliness was both a privilege and a struggle.
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