1775: Year that a flushing water-closet was first patented. The modern toilet, patented by Alexander Cummings, was originally invented by Sir John Harrington, godson of Queen Elizabeth I, in the 16th century.

2 by 3: Measurement in inches per sheet of toilet paper first produced in China in 1391, for the use of the Emperor. Toilet paper was patented in 1871 by entrepreneur Zeth Wheeler.

1852: Year that the world?s first public toilet was opened. Built in London by the British Society of Arts, the toilet was intended for men. A public toilet for women was opened nine days later.

2003: Year that the art exhibit ?Don?t Miss A Sec? by Monica Bonvicini was unveiled in London. The exhibit was a usable public toilet enclosed in one-way mirrored glass situated on a sidewalk, which allows the user to see outside while passers-by cannot peep in.

$50,000: Cost of an overnight stay in a toilet-shaped house in South Korea, billed as ?the world?s one and only toilet house.? Built by sanitation activist Sim Jae Duck, it is part of his campaign for cleaner comfort rooms worldwide.

53: Age of the creator of the most expensive toilet when he died in 2008. Jewelry tycoon Lam Sai-wing created a $4.9-million solid-gold toilet complete with a gold toilet brush holder in Hong Kong. The toilet was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most expensive of its kind ever made.

More than 1,000: Number of toilets installed in a free four-story public bathroom in Chongqing, China.

Up to 40,000: Estimated volume of water in gallons that could be saved in one year by using waterless urinals instead of standard flush urinals. Created in 1995 by Ditmar L. Gorges, the waterless urinal uses a biodegradable chemical called sealant liquid, instead of water.

86: Percentage of Filipino families with access to sanitary toilets, according to the National Statistics Office (2004)

P35,000: Amount spent by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority for each pink urinal. (2003)

1 in 51: The toilet-bowl-to-pupil ratio in primary schools in RP, according to the Alliance of Concerned Teachers. The ratio in secondary schools is 1:102. (2008)

Compiled by Schatzi Quodala, Inquirer Research
Sources: historic-uk.com, toiletmuseum.com, ideafinder.com, today.wmit.net, msnbc.msn.com, building.co.uk, ibnlive.in.com, worldrecordsacademy.org, PDI Archives, National Statistics Office