The plunger is one of those things we often take for granted. That is, of course, until we need one.
A common sight in households, the plunger is a simple device used to release stoppages in plumbing. In other words, it can loosen and break up clogs caused by things like toilet paper. Kitchen plungers differ from bathroom plungers in that they are more spherical shaped to help unclog sinks.
The Invention of the Plunger
According to NC State University, the concept of the plunger probably came about in 1777 when Samuel Prosser patented the plunger closet. This was a bathroom model that used the plunger to flush the toilet. Dissimilar to modern-day plungers, these early plungers were placed in the side of the closet system, on top of the outflow.
When a person used the toilet, they would lift up the plunger, causing water and waste to go from the bowl and flow into the pipes. While this type of plunger was a sign of advancements to come, it collected too much waste, ultimately rendering it unhygienic. When the toilet became more modernized, the plunger did as well.
The Modern-Day Plunger
We do not exactly know how the modern plunger came to be. Perhaps this is because it was once uncouth to talk about matters of the bathroom. Even so, there are some rumors as to how it was invented.
One theory is that the modern-day plunger was conceived by Jeffrey Gunderson in 1932. Others believe it was invented much earlier. They believe the plunger took off in the mid 1800s when wood and synthetic rubber (the two main ingredients of the plunger) were often used in the manufacturing of products. It was also around this time that the suction cup was invented, a vital part of the plunger, as was the s-pipe, a type of pipe that allows the plunger to work.
Other Uses for the Plunger
Despite its rather crappy reputation, the plunger has uses that are not limited to unclogging toilets and sinks. In fact, it might prove to be a lifesaver.
According to CBS Dallas Fort Worth, the plunger has been used to develop a new type of technique that improves the effectiveness of CPR by enhancing the circulation of blood, ultimately increasing survival rates by as much as 53 percent. This technique—called Active Compression-Decompression—attaches a suction cup to the chest and lifts it with each compression. While standard CPR provides only compressions, this technique gives the chest both compressions and decompressions. This technique was invented by a cardiologist after he heard about a teenage boy who saved his father’s life by using a plunger to revive him from cardiac arrest.
Plungers have also been used for decades in jazz music; the rubber portion of the plunger can be used to help mute instruments like trumpets and trombones. Musicians can change the degree of this mute by cutting holes into the plunger and using their nonplaying hand to manipulate it. Band members in Duke Ellington’s orchestra and the Glenn Miller band were known for playing a variety of songs with plunger mutes.
Byline
Ian Fairbanks writes on plumbing, water heaters, home maintenance, gadget repair, home improvement and other related topics. Ian recommends that those with plumbing needs consult with a trusted company such as www.dougturnerplumbing.com.
Image credit goes to cookieevans5.