Prompt Cast
The History and Function of Porta-Potties
TLDR Porta-potties were first used during World War II as temporary toilets for workers on ships and planes. They have since evolved to include improvements such as ventilation systems, separate urinals, and non-slip flooring, but servicing porta-potties can be challenging and messy.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
This podcast episode is about how porta-potties work.
04:34
Service sanitation Inc. delivered 380 regular porta-potties, 28 wheelchair accessible porta-potties, and 80 hand washing stations to the Taste of Chicago event, and they came every night from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. to clean them out.
09:30
The origin of porta-potties can be traced back to World War II, where shipbuilding docks at Long Beach started using temporary porta-potties on ships for workers to use, which were heavy and not easily transported, and later on, during the war, planes had to come up with ways for pilots to use the bathroom during long flights.
13:53
During World War II, pilots had to use a makeshift toilet called the Elson, which often overflowed and bathed the user in waste, leading to the creation of the porta potty.
18:28
In the 1960s, the first modern porta-potty was created by a man named Harvey Heather, although a patent for a portable toilet cabana made from plastic was developed by George Harding.
23:08
George Harding improved porta-potties by adding a ventilation system to release noxious gases and also suggested other improvements such as translucent white rooftops, non-slip flooring, separate urinals, and roll around toilets for easier mobility on job sites.
27:45
Porta-potties use a deep blue dye to visually mask the presence of human feces.
32:40
Porta-potties are equipped with fragrance, biocides, and enzymes to mask odors, kill bacteria, and break down waste, but extreme temperatures can make the smell worse and frozen waste is the worst to deal with.
37:03
The worst part of servicing porta-potties is when they get knocked over on their door, causing all of the waste in the holding tank to spill out and making it necessary to clean the entire inside of the porta-potty.
41:22
Port-a-potty service people have a difficult job that involves defending public health and saving water.
Categories:
Society & Culture
