Improved water closet, 1878.

Source: "The Latest Improved Water-Closet," The Manufacturer and Builder, Volume 10, Issue 11 (Nov. 1878), p. 245. Courtesy of The Making of America Digital Collection, Cornell University Library.

Water closet tank with automatic supply, circa 1881. This design, by providing a measured and swift flow to flush out the drain, was a large improvement over earlier methods.

Source: Edward S. Philbrick, "Lecture XI: Apparatus Used for House Drainage," American Sanitary Engineering (New York: The Sanitary Engineer, 1881), p. 120.

The "plunger-closet," a form of the water closet, circa 1881. This design begins to show some of the elements of a modern toilet, with a float that is raised to release a flow of water for flushing.

Source: Edward S. Philbrick, "Lecture XI: Apparatus Used for House Drainage," American Sanitary Engineering (New York: The Sanitary Engineer, 1881), p. 121.

Jenning's trapless water closet, another version of the "plunger-closet" design.

Source: Edward S. Philbrick, "Lecture XI: Apparatus Used for House Drainage," American Sanitary Engineering (New York: The Sanitary Engineer, 1881), p. 122.

Hellyer's water closet and supply tank, a variety of water closet in which the base of the bowl was closed by a flap or valve. A handle was lifted to release the contents of the bowl,

Source: Edward S. Philbrick, "Lecture XI: Apparatus Used for House Drainage," American Sanitary Engineering (New York: The Sanitary Engineer, 1881), p. 123.

Patent for Water Closet, Urinal, and Cesspool, 1883. Patented by J. B. Berlier on Feb. 20,1883. U.S. Patent No. 272,405. 5 sheets. (PDF)

Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office at http://www.uspto.gov. Thanks to Tom Bates for finding and contributing this patent.

Improved sewer-gas check-valve, 1878.

Source: "Improved Sewer-Gas Check-Valve", The Manufacturer and Builder, Volume 10, Issue 4 (April 1878), p. 92. Courtesy of The Making of America Digital Collection, Cornell University Library.

Improved flush tank.

Source: "Improved Flush Tank," The Manufacturer and Builder, Volume 10, Issue 12 (Dec. 1878), p. 280. Courtesy of The Making of America Digital Collection, Cornell University Library.

Field's Flushing Cistern, 1879.

Source: "Flush Tanks," The Manufacturer and Builder, Volume 11, Issue 8 (Aug. 1879), p. 187. Courtesy of The Making of America Digital Collection, Cornell University Library.

Field's flush tank annular siphon, circa 1881. Often used in England for flushing house drains.

Source: Edward S. Philbrick, "Lecture VII: The Ventilation and Cleaning of Sewers," American Sanitary Engineering (New York: The Sanitary Engineer, 1881), p. 88.

Detail showing the proper methods of connecting house connection sewers (HCSs) to mains, circa 1899.

Cady Staley and Geo. S. Pierson, The Separate System of Sewerage, Its Theory and Construction, Third Edition (New York: D. Van Nostrand, Co., 1899), p. 97.

Illustration showing the preferred method of ventilating sewers in the "combined" system (where sewage and storm water are combined). Circa 1899.

Cady Staley and Geo. S. Pierson, The Separate System of Sewerage, Its Theory and Construction, Third Edition (New York: D. Van Nostrand, Co., 1899), p. 207.

Illustration showing the preferred method of ventilating sewers in the "combined" system (where sewage and storm water are combined). Circa 1899.

Cady Staley and Geo. S. Pierson, The Separate System of Sewerage, Its Theory and Construction, Third Edition (New York: D. Van Nostrand, Co., 1899), p. 211.

Illustration of interior plumbing, showing connections to fixtures and ventilation system.

Cady Staley and Geo. S. Pierson, The Separate System of Sewerage, Its Theory and Construction, Third Edition (New York: D. Van Nostrand, Co., 1899), p. 255.

Source: Colonel E. C. S. Moore, Sanitary Engineering, Volume I, 3rd Edition revised by E. J. Silcock (Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Company, 1909), p. 6.