William Elvis Sloan I (October 1867 – June 25, 1961) invented the Flushometer flushing mechanism for toilets and urinals. It is installed in millions of commercial, institutional and industrial restrooms worldwide.[1][2]
Biography
He was born in Liberty, Missouri, in October 1867.[2] He was an apprentice pipe fitter in Missouri then moved to Chicago, Illinois.[1] He married Bertha Moore (1874-?) in 1898 in Chicago, Illinois, and they had a child, Edith Marie Sloan (1913-?).
In 1906, he founded Sloan Valve Company, which is now headquartered in Franklin Park, Illinois.[2]
He died on June 25, 1961, in Chicago, Illinois, and was buried in Oak Park, Illinois.[3]
Legacy
With the exception of a period of time in the 1940s and early 1950s, Sloan Valve has been under the leadership of W.E. Sloan’s descendants. He had a grandson, William Elvis Sloan II (1941–2001).[4]
References
- ^ a b "Sloan Valve Continues To Build On Strong Foundation". The Wholesaler. Archived from the original on 2014-12-04. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
Early in his career, Sloan was an apprentice pipe fitter in his native Missouri before moving to Chicago and working as a foreman, superintendent and, later, an independent contractor. His experiences and self-study led Sloan to a lifelong interest in inventing — over his lifetime, Sloan was credited with 64 inventions.
- ^ a b c "William Elvis Sloan (1867-1961)". Sloan Valve Company. Archived from the original on March 15, 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
The inventor of the Flushometer and founder of Sloan Valve Company was born in Liberty, Missouri. After serving as an apprentice pipe fitter, he traveled to Chicago and became a foreman, a superintendent, and finally, an independent contractor.
- ^ "Board Chairman Dies". Holland Evening Sentinel. June 27, 1961 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "William Elvis Sloan II, 60". Chicago Tribune. August 5, 2001. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
William Elvis Sloan II, 60, an executive at Sloan Valve Co. in Franklin Park, died Wednesday, Aug. 1, in his Addison home of a heart attack. Born and raised in River Forest, Mr. Sloan built a 44-year career with the company, a manufacturer of plumbing products that was founded by his grandfather in Chicago. Starting at age 16, Mr. ...