After years of neglect, Thomas Crapper's grave was recently restored by the firm he established in 1861. More than 30 people, some by the name of "Crapper," and others representing Britain's sanitaryware manufacturers, attended the rededication ceremony May 4 at Beckenham Cemetery, located in southeast London.

Among the prayers, Rev. Canon Carpenter read a Biblical verse that mentions "cistern." After the service, a cake in the shape of a water closet was served.

Crapper (1836-1910), is largely credited by some with "inventing" the modern flush toilet. Many say his name lives on as a slang term for, well, you know.

Although Crapper probably shouldn't get the credit or the blame for either story, he was definitely a promoter of sanitaryware. "He relentlessly promoted sanitary fittings to a somewhat dirty and skeptical world and championed the 'water-waste-preventing cistern syphon' in particular," according to the site, www.thomas-crapper.com "Indeed, he invented the bathroom showroom and displayed his wares in large plate glass windows at the Marlboro Works. This caused quite a stir and it is said that ladies observing the china bowls in the windows became faint at this shocking sight!"

Currently, Thomas Crapper & Co. offers replicas of Victorian/Edwardian sanitaryware.

"At some point, we will organize another 'flush' of Crappers and Crapperologists," mentioned company owner Simon Kirby in a press release. "The centenary of Thomas Crapper's death is 2010, but I'm not sure we can wait that long."