Who invented the toilet and when?

The modern flush toilet was invented by Sir John Harington, an English courtier, in 1596. Harington, the godson of Queen Elizabeth I, created a toilet with a valve that could release water to flush waste away. His invention was not widely adopted at the time, but it laid the groundwork for the development of the flush toilet. The widespread use of the toilet came in the late 19th century, with Thomas Crapper, an English plumber, making significant improvements to the design, such as a more efficient flushing mechanism and better water seals. His name, often erroneously associated with the invention of the toilet, became synonymous with the modern flush toilet.