Latest news with #toiletdesign
BBC News
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Rod Stewart's Glastonbury boombox toilet and other unusual loos
Some of the biggest names in the world of music are performing at Glastonbury this year, but a toilet at the festival is also pulling in the crowdsInside a giant stereo, the special loo is decorated with leopard print - a pattern co-designer rockstar Sir Rod Stewart often using it will also be welcomed with the sound of some of his famous part of a partnership with the organisation WaterAid to show the importance of clean water and spread awareness of people in the world who can't access it. Of course, this isn't the only time a toilet design has got people talking, here's a look at a few other unusual loos. The Slanty This toilet is designed to slope downwards slightly, making it uncomfortable to sit on for more than a few was featured in the news in 2019 with its design splitting designer behind the toilet says it is engineered to the user's "long-term health and wellbeing first". The loo for two It wasn't just what was happening on the slopes that got people talking about the Winter Olympics in Sochi in 2014.A picture of a double loo took some of the lime light, with the phot of two toilets side-by-side in a cubicle causing a fair bit of confusion reporter Steve Rosenberg who took the snap told Newsround at the time: "There's only one toilet roll holder on the wall - you'd expect two if they were planning to create two separate booths." The fish-friendly flush Goldfish don't usually go together with toilets for the best reasons, but one company tried to change that when they invented the Fish 'n' Flush it looks like the fish are in the cistern they are actually in a separate tank divided by a special plastic. A loo with a view This toilet at the Shard is around 300 metres above London on the 68th floor of the £2 billion not one to go to if you're scared of heights! The toilet you weren't egg-specting These egg-shaped pods are actually toilet cubicles in a restaurant in futuristic design is borrowed from flotation music and futuristic sounds apparently play inside the pods, which also feature colour-changing LED lighting.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
eShan Announces a Kindle Book for Virtual Siphon Toilet Concept to Address Water Waste and Sanitation Challenges
Author and engineering enthusiast eShan launches a kindle book in which he has proposed a new toilet design aimed at reducing potable water use and rethinking outdated plumbing systems Singapore, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Singapore-based author and systems analyst eShan has announced the release of his latest work, Global Citizens' Manifesto: Virtual Siphon Toilet, which introduces an alternative toilet design intended to address growing concerns about global water consumption and inefficient sanitation infrastructure. The Virtual Siphon Toilet, developed from eShan's own engineering insights and early life experiences, proposes a low-water flush model that challenges long-standing norms in plumbing and municipal water use. eShan's journey began in India, where his early experiences involved a basic bucket and squat toilet. In 1992, his career as a systems analyst brought him to Singapore, where he observed the widespread use of potable water for flushing in high-rise buildings. "I couldn't help but notice the irony," eShan reflects. "We treat water scarcity as a crisis while literally flushing potable water down the drain. It's like using champagne to wash your car. Why flush so much water and create so much sewage water that requires additional energy and resources to process?" Government attempts to reduce toilet water usage, such as cistern bags, were seen as insufficient by eShan, who viewed them as minor adjustments to a system in need of fundamental change. His experiences eventually influenced his writing. eShan's insight came when he questioned the necessity of water-intensive toilet designs. He identified the siphon system, a longstanding method for trapping water in the bowl, as outdated in the context of modern plumbing. He designed an alternative: the Virtual Siphon Toilet, which aims to maintain sanitation while using only a fraction of the water. The concept became the foundation of his latest book, introducing a practical plumbing innovation that supports global water and sanitation goals. "The toilet hasn't fundamentally changed in over a century," he explains. "We've put people on the Moon but still use potable water to transport waste. It's perhaps the most overlooked environmental issue of our time." Despite the practicality of the design, it received limited engagement from environmental organizations and green tech stakeholders. According to eShan, there appeared to be little incentive to change systems that support existing economic models around water consumption. Undeterred, he developed a prototype using 3D printing and filed a patent, which is currently pending. After self-publishing ten books, including his 2009 debut Letter to Future, and exhausting his savings, he returned to India to continue advocating for his ideas. A significant shift occurred when eShan discovered Sudowrite, an AI-powered writing assistant. With its help, he shaped his ideas into a speculative fiction narrative, combining environmental critique with satire. "AI didn't write my story. It helped me find a new way to tell it," he latest Kindle release, Global Citizens' Manifesto: Virtual Siphon Toilet (ASIN: B0D18CTM63), blends fiction and fact to highlight environmental challenges through storytelling. The narrative identifies systemic indifference as the primary obstacle to earlier work, Global Citizens' Manifesto: Happy New Democracy (ASIN: B0CVF8VGSK), explores the structural limitations of modern democratic systems and proposes an AI-assisted model for direct governance. In contrast to well-funded figures in the tech industry, eShan's journey is marked by personal sacrifice and independent thinking. While some startups offer luxury smart toilets, his focus remains on utility and conservation. According to UN data, water demand is projected to exceed supply by 40% by 2030. In the U.S., an average toilet uses 1.6 gallons per flush. Cities like Los Angeles have resorted to purchasing water from distant sources, underscoring the growing strain on municipal systems. These statistics serve as a backdrop for eShan's fictional yet research-informed exploration of water usage and the urgent need to stop wasting precious water just to flush toilets. These statistics serve as a backdrop for eShan's fictional yet research-informed exploration of water usage and the urgent need to save water. What sets eShan's approach apart is his use of fiction to convey practical ideas. Lacking institutional backing, he turned to Kindle Direct Publishing to reach readers directly. "Sometimes fiction can accomplish what technical papers cannot," he notes. "People connect with stories in ways they don't with specifications and diagrams." eShan invites filmmakers and publishers around the world to adapt or translate the Global Citizens' Manifesto series. He believes the Virtual Siphon Toilet concept can resonate across cultures and serve as a catalyst for discussion on plumbing innovation and sustainable water and sanitation solutions. For those moved by his story, there's a way to help turn fiction into function. You can support the development of the Virtual Siphon Toilet by contributing to his crowdfunding campaign here. The Virtual Siphon Toilet is a low-cost, simplified system. Without flashy features or marketing campaigns, it reflects a back-to-basics approach to resource conservation. "The most effective solutions are often the least exciting," eShan says. "We're so busy looking for fancy technology that we miss the straightforward thinking right in front of us." While still awaiting mainstream recognition, eShan continues to develop and promote his work. His efforts underscore a broader truth: meaningful solutions sometimes begin quietly, far from headlines and stage lights. The author, eShan, can be contacted via email at newfatherofsg@ CONTACT: eShan V eShan, Author newfatherofsg@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
