Engineering:Washlet
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File:Washlets (high-tech toilets) in Japan (video).webm
Washlet (Japanese: ウォシュレット, Hepburn: Woshuretto) is a Japanese line of cleansing toilet seats manufactured and sold by the company Toto. The electronic bidet features a water spray element for genital and anal cleansing.[1][2][3][4] and commonly appears on toilets all over Japan and is becoming more common in other parts of the world. The device was released in June 1980[5] and as of 2025, Toto has sold more than 70 million units.[5][6]
History
In the 1960s, Japanese plumbing company Toto's goal was to import American "wash air seats" for domestic sales, mainly for sale to hospitals and nursing homes. Toto began domestic production in 1969.
In 1980, Toto began to sell its improved Washlets in Japan after surveying employees to determine appropriate spray positions, since there were no biometric statistics available.
In the 1980s, the term "Washlet" originated by the company Toto. Recognized for its pioneering role in 2012, the original Washlet G model was certified as item 55 of Mechanical Engineering Heritage.[7]
Design
In October 2005, Toto released other improvements, incorporating sleep mode for energy conservation, a remote control, and a Washlet that could play MP3 audio files. Upon her visit to Japan in 2005, pop singer Madonna commented that she had "missed Japan’s warm toilet seats."[8]
Functions
The control panels usually feature settings to change the intensity of the water spray, as well as temperature.
See also
References
- ↑ "Toilettes. Le "Washlet" japonais veut faire son trou en Europe". Le Télégramme. 19 November 2012. http://www.letelegramme.com/ig/generales/france-monde/monde/toilettes-le-washlet-japonais-veut-faire-son-trou-en-europe-19-11-2012-1912472.php.
- ↑ Hasegawa, Kyoko (November 20, 2012). "Toilet maker Toto seeks global lavatory domination with Washlets". Herald Sun. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/the-other-side/japanese-toilet-maker-toto-seeks-global-lavatory-domination-with-heated-seats-powerjets-and-odour-masking-washlets/story-e6frfhk6-1226520413547.
- ↑ "Japan's high-tech toilet maker eyes global throne". Rappler. 20 November 2012. https://www.rappler.com/business/16429-japan-s-high-tech-toilet-maker-eyes-global-throne/.
- ↑ Hasegawa, Kyoko (5 December 2012). "Japan's high-tech toilet maker eyes global throne". The Japan Times. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nb20121205a2.html.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "ウォシュレット累計出荷台数6000万台突破". Toto Ltd.. October 28, 2022. https://jp.toto.com/company/press/2022_10_28_01/#.
- ↑ "History of WASHLET" (in en). https://www.totousa.com/washlet/history-of-washlets.
- ↑ MECHANICAL ENGINEERING HERITAGE NO.55 WASHLET G (Toilet Seat with Shower Unit)
- ↑ "Madonna loves warm toilet seats". 2005-12-08. https://www.news24.com/news24/madonna-loves-warm-toilet-seats-20051207.
External links
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