[kingkawn]

My grandfather, a physicist, had many odd friends. One of them was a Brit who in the 1950's invented a toilet that permitted squatting. He said of the work, "I believe the savages had it right all along."

The toilet was never produced.

[frossie]

One of them was a Brit who in the 1950's invented a toilet that permitted squatting

I do believe I have seen somewhere a flyer by the British National Health Service advocating putting one's feet on a (step)stool in order to achieve a more optimal position when using a traditional toilet. So perhaps his legacy lives on.

(I am too scared to try and google for proof).

[RossM]

> advocating putting one's feet on a (step)stool in order to achieve a more optimal position when using a traditional toilet

I haven't seen the NHS flyer but I have seen a photo of a sign from Japan indicating that this is a good idea (also that you should rest your elbows on your knees and bulge your stomach out). I think it certainly helps things (this has got to be the oddest thread I've seen on HN in a while).

[helveticaman]

Seed funds didn't exist in the 50s.