The National 1879
One piece of ceramic - a breakthrough at the time. Washout closet. By 1880 the sales of this pan were reaching 10,000 a year. |
| Twyfords NATIONAL Closet |
The Unitas 1883
One piece, all ceramic, pedestal washout closet |
| 1883 Twyfords UNITAS WC displayed in Twyford Reception "THE MONUMENT TO EXCREMENT" photo: March 2004 |
The Twycliffe and Seat 1890
Twyford Twycliffe and Seat. Syphonic action clears the pan. |
| 1890 Twyford Twycliffe syphonic WC |
The Twyfords Twycliffe in action.
Many thanks go to Sam Jackson at 'sparkyfireworks' for
uploading the video of his test results to YouTube
The Deluge 1894
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| 1894 Deluge washdown WC |
Mortuary Slab 1899
Sloping Toilets 1911
Patented in 1911 the sloping toilet (forwards or backwards) was designed to improved comfort. It didn't catch on! |
| Forward sloping toilet 1911 |
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| Twyfords 'Natura' forward and backward sloping |
The 'Natura' can bee seen at 18 seconds in!
2019 "Social media awash with scorn for 'sloping toilet'"
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-50835604
Double Trap Syphonic Toilet 'The Brampton' 1950
Improvements relating to water closets.By Inventor: Arthur Victor Pimble
Pressure Reducing Fitment - air extraction device.
GB Patent GB667523A 15 April 1950
In 1950 Air extraction device (PRF Pressure Reducing Fitment) for a water closet (The Brampton)
""" This invention relates to so-called air extraction devices for use with w.c. pans of the type having two traps whereby use is made of the flushing water supplied from the cistern to the pan to extract air from the intertrap space and thereby effect siphonic discharge from the pan.
The object of the present invention is to provide an improved air extraction device for this purpose. In general, the air extraction device with which the invention is concerned comprises a tubular body for insertion in the flush passage extending between the cistern and a w.c. pan so that the flushing water passes through the tubular body, a pipe supported within the tubular body so as to project beyond the body for communication with the intertrap space of the pan, that part of the pipe within the body being provided with one or more openings whereby an air flow path between the intertrap space and the interior of the tubular body is provided, and the means for creating suction in the vicinity of said opening or openings in response to passage of flushing water through the body."
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| Twyfords "Brampton" Double Trap Syphonic WC diagram shows position of the PRF |
Many thanks go to Neil Eggington for finding this Patent and passing on the information for upload to this site More here > https://patents.google.com/patent/GB2117023A/en?inventor=Arthur+Victor+Pimble
Barbican Washbasin early 1960s
In 1961 new housing standards were published. Amongst the recommendations was the need to include a hand rinse basin in every toilet that was separate from the bathroom.The Barbican Housing Project was a massive 1960s housing development with over 800 apartments being built in the centre of the City of London. The architects required a hand rinse basin which could be built into the wall of the toilet cubicle in order to meeting the building standard and to take up little space.
The Barbican hand rinse basin was specially designed to fit into these rather diminutive toilets the City provided in their flats. The main body of basin being buried in the wall so that no space was taken up in the room.
The hand basin was designed by L Michael Hohmann, who was an architect working with Chamberlin Powell & Bon, and who later practiced as LMH Design at The White House, 179 White Horse Hill, Chislehurst, Kent.
Twyford’s Barbican hand rinse basin was the result. “Available in five pastel colours and with left or right hand taps” was the advertising punch line. And the basin took off, even though it was the devil of a job to install!
The five pastel colours were White, Primrose, Sky Blue, Shell Pink, Turquoise and Pampas. Apart from the classic white and the ever popular Pampas the other four pastels were withdrawn and made obsolete by 1980.
Design Centre Award - 1963
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| Twyfords Barbican washbasin News item in Design magazine 1972 Link to Design Mag |
Text of the news item "Barbican Basin - The award-winning handrinse basin specially designed for the Barbican development in London is now available for the domestic market. It is 16in high and 20in wide and has a toilet roll holder beneath the soap tray. Colours are white, blue, pink, primrose, turquoise and pampas and fittings are either gold-or chrome-plated. Made by Twyfords Ltd, PO Box 23, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 7AL and Africa House, Kingsway, London WC2, 0782 23411 and 01-405 8606, price £25 in white and £29.20 in colour"
The Barbican won design awards and was regarded at the time as a benchmark product. It has been used in applications as varied as railway carriage toilets and MacDonalds restaurants.
To celebrate the Barbican Project a major new exhibition opened at the Barbican Galleries in London on 14th February 2002 and the Barbican hand rinse basin formed a major part of the display.
To celebrate the Barbican Project a major new exhibition opened at the Barbican Galleries in London on 14th February 2002 and the Barbican hand rinse basin formed a major part of the display.
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| Twyfords Barbican hand rinse basin 1961 |
3 March 1982
The Queen officially opened the Barbican Centre. She called it ‘one of the wonders of the modern world’.
http://www.barbicanliving.co.uk/flats/rooms-and-features-2/the-barbican-hand-basin/
http://www.barbicanliving.co.uk/flats/rooms-and-features-2/the-barbican-hand-basin/
BarbincanBasin.com
Here is a link to a remarkable website dedicated to the Barbican Washbasin https://www.barbicanbasin.com/ As a 'taster' here are some extracts from its text:
"The iconic Barbican Handrinse Basin (Design Centre Award in 1966) was designed for the Barbican Estate in London. Chamberlin, Powell and Bon were appointed architects. The Barbican Centre was finally completed in 1982. The complex houses around 4000 people over 2014 flats.
In 1961 new housing standards were introduced which required a hand basin in any WC that was separate from the bathroom. The new regulations created a concern over the limited space within the flats and it was decided that a bespoke, space saving, compact washbasin was required. Chamberlin, Powell and Bon discussed the basic principles of the concept which led to a design brief being passed to German trained architect, Michael Hohmann.
Hohmann visited Twyfords Cliffe Vale factory and presented a range of designs that were required for the Barbican Estate. These included a countertop washbasin, space saving handrinse basin, urinal and wall hung wc.
The ideas were presented in a conceptual, sketchy 'back of the envelope' format, however Hohmann was very clear and precise in what he wanted as a final product. Twyfords experts discussed the concepts and due to the requirement for straight edges, it was suggested that the washbasins would be more suitable in white enamelled steel. Hohmann insisted Twyfords applied their expertise to the challenge because he required the whole range to be in the same white vitreous china material.
Munroe Blair, then Twyfords young designer with an architectural training background, translated the sketch proposals into working drawings. Hohmann was very pleased with the full size drawings which were used by the modeller to produce a full size plaster model of the Barbican handrinse basin.
The Barbican washbasin designs were products of innovation in manufacturing terms, venturing into the impossible and unknown at the time for ceramic manufacture. The ground breaking modern Barbican basin went into production in the early nineteen sixties and was installed throughout the Barbican flats.
The basin was initially offered in left and right handed versions and only in white. Later in 1972, for wider commercial sales, five standard colours were introduced: shell pink, sky blue, primrose yellow, pampas and turquoise. Avocado wasn't introduced until 1975 and then later during the early 1980's the basin was produced in a variety of new colours which were introduced by Twyfords who were leading the way in introducing colour to the bathroom.
Barbican basin remained in production for over 50 years. It was finally discontinued ... in 2017 with an official de-listing date of 4th August 2017. "
Sola Washbasin 1962 - Designed by Stanley Ellis
A breakthrough in washbasin design and installation, requiring no pedestal.Design Centre Award - 1963
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Download pdf here> |
| Stanley Ellis designer of the Sola Washbasin Posing for photos on his retirement, mid 1980s |
Fireclay Products 1968
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| Twyfords Fireclay - masoning Cleaners Sink, an assembled Mortuary Slab and an assembled range of Adamant Urinals photos courtesy Donald Parry |
Aztec Taps 1970s
Gorgeous new taps introduced which took the industry by storm at the time. Became the classic tap design and sold in millions. Non-rising spindle tap. |
| Twyfords Aztec taps - a classic of their time |
Olympian Bath 1982
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| Olympian Bath 1982 Super heavy-weight steel Launched by Duncan Goodhuw, Olympic Swimmer |
Aquagym 1983
Avalon Bath 1988
Products for the 'grey' market. Well ahead of its time - the Avalon Suite. Designed for families. |
| Twyford Avalon Suite designed for people with special needs 1988 |
Jupiter Moonstone and Inca Midnight 1989
Twyfords Moonstone glaze Jupiter Basin with Inca Midnight ceramic valved taps