Comments on: In the Archives: Earth Closets

By: Stefan Szumko

Stefan Szumko — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 13:35:13 +0000

It is true. The composting toilets in the Nature House at the Leslie Science and Nature Center are wonderful (2 seats in the women’s; 1 seat/1 urinal in the men’s). No splash. No mess. No smell (not enough daily traffic?). Just don’t drop your cell phone down the hole (although it can be easily retrieved in the basement, I’m not sure you’d want it by your face afterward). Even the heat from the composting process helps save on energy. Although the slight draft from below is disconcerting at first, the results are worth it.

By the way, did Heap ever set aside any piano stool samples for posterity?

By: Wystan Stevens

Wystan Stevens — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 01:48:35 +0000

The late Lawrence “Larry” Scott of Ann Arbor was the local promoter of the Clivus Multrum composting toilet, back in the 1980s. Larry had financial backing from the fabulously wealthy Abby Rockefeller, of New York City. The Ann Arbor News ran a story or two about Larry and the Clivus Multrum.

By: Cindy Overmyer

Cindy Overmyer — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 15:52:42 +0000

Yes, the restrooms in the Nature House at the Leslie Science Center are composting toilets – 4 stalls in each. The National Park Service has used them at various campgrounds – the North & South Manitou Islands had a couple at one time, but I think they were replaced recently as they didn’t work all that well. The ones at Leslie are great!

That mystery item looks like an early labelmaker – possibly for laundry?

By: Rod Johnson

Rod Johnson — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 13:23:35 +0000

I believe the new building at Leslie Science Center also has composting toilets, and there may be a few others around town.

By: Irma

Irma — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 16:40:21 +0000

I like the spy idea, so maybe it’s an encoder? Spy chooses an appropriate secret code disk, puts it on the spindle, selects the alphabet letters that spell the message and the encoder disk prints out the secret coded version. Works on paper or flattened marshmallows! Only at Sears!

By: John

John — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 16:16:19 +0000

How about a printing telegraph that translates incoming Morse Code into printed letters? There seems to be a key on the left, perhaps for sending.

By: Pete

Pete — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 12:39:58 +0000

Thetford Corp. is located west of Ann Arbor and specializes in producing permanent and portable toilets used in RV’s, boating, camping and for other applications. This company is an industry leader and is a significant contributor to our economy. At this time their product line foes not include composting toilets, they are mostly holding tank varieties.

In time this product area is going to be more significant as a means to reduce resource use. Let’s hope that Michigan can play prominently in that market and avoid the previous pitfalls of Heap.

Thank you for the article.

By: Laura Bien

Laura Bien — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 21:05:46 +0000

George: That’s very interesting; didn’t know that. We have only one that I know of here in Ypsi it’s on the “green bus” that belongs to a couple in town.

By: Laura Bien

Laura Bien — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 21:04:38 +0000

Dave: Interesting guess…if so it seems as though that would take a long time to type anything. Hmmm..

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 19:24:24 +0000

Laura,

The mystery artifact appears to be an early, round (rotary) index typewriter. Produced during the late 19th or early 20th century.