The toilet has only been a common fixture in American homes since the early 20th century. That’s when it went from being a feature in wealthy people’s homes to a public health necessity for everyone.
In some pre-World War II working class homes, there are basement toilets that stick out like a sore thumb. They lack privacy and can be in odd locations, like at the foot of the stairs or next to a utility sink.
These curiosities led a WPR listener in Madison to reach out to WPR’s WHYsconsin project. Jessica Hopp asked: Why do so many older homes in Wisconsin have an exposed toilet sitting in the unfinished basement? What’s the story behind the “Midwestern toilet”?…