International Museum of Toilets

Toilets are valuable but often overlooked tools of modern day life. The history of toilets is rarely the topic of conversation in schools. Dr. Bindeswar Pathak of New Dehli, India, has filled this void by founding the Sulabh International Museum of Toilets.

The Museum

Yes, like menstrual pads and hand-held vibrating personal massagers, the toilet has a museum dedicated to its history. The museum, physically located in New Dehli, India, may be too far away for many of my readers to actually visit. But some of the museum's artifacts are available for viewing on line at sulabhtoiletmuseum.org.

Visitors to India can find the museum on the campus of Dr. Bindeswar's office at Mahavir Enclave, Palam Dabri Road in New Dehli.

The Toilets

The toilets featured in photographs on the website of the Sulabh International Museum of Toilets are disappointingly few, but the ones that are viewable are quality examples of toilets throughout history.

Featuring photos of toilets from Victorian era chamber pots to toilets disguised as furniture to stainless steel contraptions that look like something out of a science fiction movie, the Museum's photographic display is well worth a look.

The commentary accompanying each photograph is concise and interesting. Sidebars on each page of the site contain fascinating tidbits of information. Did you know, for example, that King Louis XIII had a toilet under his throne?

The Evolution of Toilets

Dr. Bindeswar presented "The Evolution of Toilets" at the International Sympsoium on Public Toilets in Hong Kong in May of 1995. This paper, which details the history of toilets, is available for reading at the museum's website.

The Reasons Behind the Museum

According to Dr. Bindeswar's 1995 paper, sewage facilities in India are only available to about 30% of the population in Indian cities and only about 3% of the rural population has access to flushing toilets. His purposes in founding the Sulabh International Museum of Toilets, listed on the website's first page, include the education of students and assisting toilet manufacturers in the development of their products.

Whether you are working on a school project or are just curious about the history of the toilet, a visit to the Sulabh International Museum of Toilets is a worthy site to visit.

Other Odd Museums

For information on other odd and offbeat museums, visit the author's Associated Content page, where you will find articles on museums dedicated to menstruation, funeral history, hand-held personal massage devices and more.