History of Plumbing
Did You Know?
Around 1700 BC the “first” plumbers construct an elaborate system of sewage disposal and drainage, the first of its kind, and create the first flush toilet in Crete.
In 312 BC the Romans built aqueducts to over carry 1.2 billion liters of water a day over distance of 57 miles in order to bring fresh water to Rome. We still use the same Aqueduct style system to move water without pumps down state to New York City. The towns and villages along the route tap those aqueducts to bring water to your home.
1596 The real “Royal Flush” is played. Queen Elizabeth I installs the first flushing toilet in England, invented by her godson Sir John Harrington… hence the nickname, “the John”.
1652 Boston builds the USA’s first city waterworks system to be used by fire brigades. Most of the pipes at this time were built from hollowed out trees.
1775 The Queen may have had the first “Royal Throne” Alexander Cummings cash in and receives the first patent for a flushing toilet.
1804 Philadelphia the first in Liberty become the first in the world of modern plumbing and is the first city to switch entirely to cast iron pipes to create their intricate new system of water delivery, making them a global leader in plumbing.
1848 England recognizing the need for safe water, passes the National Public Health Act which includes notes on water safety and will be adapted for countries around the globe.
1855 Chicago becomes the first large American city to build a comprehensive sewer system.
1868 The New York Metropolitan Board of Health forms in response to a growing demand for government study into the cause of serious health outbreaks and rapid spread of disease. Their studies will . confirm the link between contaminated water and the spread of disease leading to a call for better sanitation.
1869 Chicago amazes the world with the installation of the first city water tower solving the need to increases both pressure and storage
1870 Finally where’re in “Hot Water” Private homes begin to see the first installation of water heaters. Although understanding on proper temperatures and safety guidelines was a bit sketchy as overheated tanks would explode. Safety devices were added much later making boilers and water heaters safe.
1880 Great, Great Grandmas High Tank water closets enter the market using a whopping 10 gallons of water per flush! Hanging high on the wall the pressure would flush about anything that fit. Over the years the tanks would move down the wall eventually sitting directly on the bowl.
1890 The world’s first drinking water treatment systems are built in Massachusetts to reduce turbidity and microbial contamination.
1946 Our Grandfather opened Theo Hill Plumbing & Heating Inc. He would continue working until his retirement in 1977.
1974 The US passes the Safe Drinking Water Act.
1977 After 31 years Pop retires and our Dad buys Theo Hill Plumbing and Heating, Inc
2004 Dad decides it time to pass the company to his sons, (That’s Us). After much thought about the family history providing plumbing services to our community, we changed the name to Hill & Adams Inc. The name honors the hard work our grandfather did and our father before us. Most of all the Hill & Adams represents over 70 years of family service to the community.
Our family is not just plumbers. We have been helping and giving back to the community by serving as Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Medical service.