Who Invented Porta Potty: The True Story Behind

The porta potty was invented by George Harding in the 1960s.

Harding created a portable plastic toilet solution that revolutionized sanitation for outdoor events, construction sites, and other locations without permanent restrooms.

This innovative portable toilet design has remained relatively unchanged since its invention over 50 years ago.

Read on to learn more about the fascinating history and evolution of the porta potty.

Main Concepts

• Portable toilets have existed for thousands of years, but the modern porta potty was invented in the 1960s by George Harding
• Harding’s lightweight and durable plastic design made porta potties viable for widespread public use
• Key innovations like blue sanitizing liquid and ventilated tanks emerged in the 1970s
• Porta potties provide portable sanitation for outdoor events, worksites, and locations lacking permanent plumbing
• The porta potty industry now generates over $1.9 billion in annual revenue in the US alone
• Porta potty capabilities and user experience have greatly improved since their origins, but the basic design remains unchanged

History of Portable Toilets

Portable toilets have existed in some form for thousands of years.

In ancient Greece and Rome, people utilized chamber pots – portable containers to collect human waste.

These rudimentary toilets were the precursor to modern-day portable restrooms.

Other early portable toilet designs include:

• Garderobes – Primitive outhouses used in medieval castles with chutes to collect waste
• Outhouses – Slightly larger structures placed over a pit in the ground to hold waste
• Communal latrines – Long benches with holes over a channel of flowing water used in ancient Rome

These early portable toilets provided sanitation solutions for people without access to permanent indoor plumbing.

The basic concept of a portable and temporary toilet has remained over centuries of human civilization.

However, it wasn’t until the 20th century that the portable toilet design we know today was invented.

Who invented the porta potty?

The modern porta potty was invented by George Harding in the 1960s.

Harding worked as a dock worker during World War II and observed how much time his coworkers wasted walking to and from distant bathrooms.

To solve this problem, he constructed early portable toilets using wood and steel.

While innovative, these early porta potties had some drawbacks:

• Very heavy and difficult to move
• Absorbed foul odors
• Hard to clean and maintain

In the 1960s, Harding patented a new design using light yet durable plastic. This allowed the porta potties to be easily transported and serviced.

Harding’s plastic portable toilet design quickly became the standard.

His inventions paved the way for the PolyJohn Corporation to begin mass-producing porta-potties in the 1970s.

When were porta potties invented?

The first primitive portable toilet designs emerged thousands of years ago in ancient civilizations.

However, the modern porta potty resemblance we know today was invented much more recently.

The first portable toilets using wood and steel were created during World War II in the 1940s. They provided basic sanitation needs but had limitations.

The improved plastic porta potty was patented by George Harding in the 1960s. This lighter and more durable design rapidly became the standard.

Other key dates in porta potty history:

• 1970s: Fiberglass portable toilets were introduced but not widely adopted
• 1970s: Blue liquid holding tanks were introduced to control odor
• 1980s: Polyurethane tanks make porta potties lighter and easier to clean
• 1980s: Luxury restroom trailers introduced

So while ancient societies used primitive portable toilets, it was really pioneering inventors in the 20th century like George Harding who brought porta potties into the convenient design we use today.

The last 50 years have seen the most innovation in portable toilet engineering and functionality.

Why were porta potties invented?

The need for portable toilets arose from situations where permanent plumbing facilities were not available.

Specifically, porta potties were invented for:

• Military operations – Soldiers needed sanitation solutions while deployed or on bases without bathrooms. The first porta potties provided waste solutions for shipyard workers during World War II.
• Outdoor events – Before porta potties, large outdoor gatherings like festivals or construction sites had limited restroom options. Portable toilets allowed sanitation at any outdoor location.
• Emergency response – Portable toilets can be quickly deployed after natural disasters when plumbing systems are damaged. They provide essential sanitation when it’s needed most.
• Remote locations – Portable restrooms can be used in areas like parks, farms, or campsites where permanent facilities are impractical. They fulfill a waste management need in wilderness or rural settings.

The invention of the porta potty fulfilled a critical human sanitation need in situations lacking permanent plumbing.

They made proper waste disposal possible anywhere in the world.

This innovative, adaptable solution to a universal human requirement is why the humble porta potty was first conceived.

What was the first porta potty like?

The original porta potties invented during World War II were primitive compared to modern designs.

They were constructed out of heavy steel and wood, making them cumbersome to transport and clean.

These early porta potty models had several drawbacks:

• Made of dense materials like steel and wood
• Very heavy and not easily moved
• Leaked foul odors due to porous materials
• Unpleasant experience due to lack of lighting or ventilation
• Required extensive cleaning and maintenance

While innovative in providing a portable waste solution, the first porta potties were not user-friendly. They provided only very basic functionality.

The unsanitary conditions and foul odors made them an undesirable necessity during the war effort.

It wasn’t until later decades when plastic and fiberglass models emerged that porta potties became more refined.

The evolution of materials and focus on the user experience drastically improved portable toilets from their humble beginnings.

How have porta potties evolved since their invention?

Since the first crude steel and wood porta potties were created in the 1940s, there have been several innovations that improved porta potty design and functionality:

• In the 1960s, George Harding patented plastic porta potties that were lighter and easier to clean. This set the stage for mass adoption.
• Fiberglass models emerged in the 1970s but never gained widespread popularity due to issues containing odors.
• The 1970s saw the introduction of blue sanitizing liquid to help control waste odors and bacteria growth inside tanks.
• Polyurethane tanks were introduced in the 1980s, making the porta potties even more durable and easier to service.
• Luxury restroom trailers with amenities like flushing toilets and sinks debuted in the 1980s as upscale portable toilet options.

While the basic porta potty structure remains unchanged, materials and features have evolved considerably, especially regarding odor control, durability, portability, and the user experience.

Advanced waste tank designs and chemicals make modern portable toilets relatively odorless and sanitary.

What materials were initially used in porta potty construction?

The earliest portable toilet designs utilized materials that were readily available at the time. For example:

• Ancient civilizations used terracotta, metals, and wood to construct primitive portable toilets like chamber pots. These held up well but were heavy and prone to odors.
• During World War II, steel and wood were used to construct the first modern porta potty prototypes. Steel provided sturdiness while wood was an affordable and accessible material.
• In the 1970s, the first fiberglass portable toilets emerged. Fiberglass molded well to form a portable toilet shape but had limitations with odor control.
• Plastics revolutionized porta potty materials starting in the 1960s. Light yet durable plastic enabled the mass production of affordable and functional porta potties.

The earliest porta potty inventors worked with the limited material options of their times.

Metals, terracotta, wood and fiberglass came before plastics, which enabled the greatest leap in portable toilet design thanks to qualities like lightness, durability, and affordability.

This allowed the porta potty to achieve its full potential as a convenient portable waste solution.

How did porta potties change after World War II?

The portable toilets used during World War II were rudimentary and had many drawbacks.

After the war, inventors sought to improve upon the original porta potty design.

Key changes include:

• Lightweight plastic and fiberglass models emerged, replacing dense wood and steel. This improved portability.
• New chemicals and liquids were introduced to control odors and sanitize waste tanks. This reduced unpleasant smells.
• Tank and toilet seat designs were enhanced for durability, ease of cleaning, and user comfort.
• Luxury features were added like exterior wash stations and interior lighting and ventilation.
• Capacity and functionality were expanded with multi-stall portable trailers.

Post-war advancements made porta potties viable for widespread public use. Improved materials, waste treatment, and user-centric designs helped portable toilets become a practical solution for construction, events, parks, and more.

What advancements were made in porta potties in the 1970s?

The 1970s saw several key innovations that improved porta potty functionality:

• Fiberglass construction was introduced as an alternative to heavy steel and wood models, though fiberglass had some limitations in containing odors.
• The most impactful advancement was the addition of blue sanitizing liquid to waste tanks. This helped control odors and bacteria growth.
• Deodorizing chemicals specifically formulated for use in portable toilets became commercially available.
• Tank designs were enhanced to be more lightweight and durable using new materials like polyethylene plastic.
• Portable toilet ventilation systems and interior lighting features also emerged to improve user experience.

Many of the features people associate with porta potties today – the blue liquid, lightweight tanks, ventilation – originated from the improvements made during the 1970s.

These advancements helped portable toilets become more mainstream by tackling issues like odors and user comfort that deterred wider adoption

The 1970s represented a shift towards user-friendly and hygienic design in the porta potty industry.

What are some notable portable toilet facts?

When you consider the ubiquity of porta potties today, it’s fascinating to look at some key facts about portable toilets:

• There are over 3.6 million porta potties in operation across the United States alone. They can be found at construction sites, festivals, parks, and roadsides everywhere.
• Over 15 billion gallons of waste are processed annually by portable sanitation companies, illustrating the massive scale of the industry.
• The growing portable restroom industry generates over $1.9 billion in revenue every year in the United States.
• Maintaining and servicing all these porta potties requires over 100,000 workers nationwide who transport and clean the units.
• The expected lifespan of a standard porta potty is about 10 years if properly maintained before replacement is required.
• Single portable toilet units can accommodate around 200 uses or more between pump-outs.

From massive revenue and gallons of waste to details about employees and lifespan, the facts and figures reveal how deeply porta potties have become entrenched in modern life and infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who first invented portable toilets?

While ancient civilizations used primitive portable toilets, George Harding is credited with inventing the modern porta potty in the 1960s.

What are porta potties made of?

Most modern porta potties are made of lightweight, durable plastic, such as polyethylene.

When did chemical toilets come into use?

The blue sanitizing liquid used in porta potty tanks was invented in the 1970s and helped control odors and bacteria growth.