Question 1

Instructions: Identify the following. Be as specific as possible, and include names, dates, and relevant facts as appropriate. Be sure to explain the significance of the person or term. 
Indoor plumbing

Accepted Answer

Indoor plumbing refers to the system of pipes, fixtures, and other apparatus that facilitate the supply of water to a building's interior and the disposal of waterborne waste. The concept of indoor plumbing is significant because it is a fundamental aspect of modern sanitation and public health. It allows for the convenient and hygienic use of toilets, sinks, showers, and other water-related facilities within the confines of a home or other building.

The origins of indoor plumbing date back to ancient civilizations. The Minoans of Crete, for example, had terra cotta pipes and a sewage system as early as 2000 BCE. The Romans are well-known for their advanced aqueduct systems, public baths, and latrines, which were precursors to modern plumbing. They used lead and bronze piping and created sewage systems to prevent waste from contaminating their water supply.

The modern era of indoor plumbing began to take shape in the 19th century with the development of separate, underground water and sewage systems, which significantly reduced the spread of disease. The invention of the flush toilet by Sir John Harington in 1596, and its later refinement by Thomas Crapper in the 19th century, were also pivotal in the evolution of indoor plumbing. However, it wasn't until the late 19th and early 20th centuries that indoor plumbing became more widespread, particularly in urban areas and among the middle and upper classes.

The significance of indoor plumbing cannot be overstated. It has played a crucial role in improving public health by reducing the spread of diseases such as cholera and typhoid fever, which were once rampant in areas with poor sanitation. It has also greatly increased the convenience and comfort of living and working indoors, contributing to better hygiene and quality of life.

Today, indoor plumbing is considered a standard feature in developed countries, although it remains a luxury in many parts of the world. The World Health Organization and other international bodies work to promote access to safe water and sanitation as a human right, recognizing the critical role that plumbing plays in health and development.

Question 2

Instructions: Identify the following. Be as specific as possible, and include names, dates, and relevant facts as appropriate. Be sure to explain the significance of the person or term. 
Jacob Riis

Accepted Answer

Jacob Riis (May 3, 1849 – May 26, 1914) was a Danish-American social reformer, "muckraking" journalist, and social documentary photographer. He is best known for his dedication to using his photographic and journalistic talents to help the impoverished in New York City; those impoverished New Yorkers were the subject of most of his prolific writings and photography. He is considered one of the fathers of photography due to his very early adoption of flash in photography.

Riis immigrated to the United States in 1870. After years of various jobs and poverty, he found work as a police reporter, a role in which he observed the harsh conditions of the working class and slums. The experience he gained covering the seedier side of New York led to his career as a reformer.

His most famous work, "How the Other Half Lives: Studies among the Tenements of New York" (1890), was a pioneering work of photojournalism that brought to light the living conditions in the slums of New York City. Using flash photography, Riis captured the stark reality of life in the tenements, which were overcrowded, unsanitary, and dangerous places to live. His work helped to shed light on the plight of the urban poor to a wider audience, including middle and upper-class readers who were largely unaware of the conditions in which their fellow citizens lived.

Riis's work had a significant impact on society and is credited with galvanizing urban reform in the United States. His photography and writing influenced many, including Theodore Roosevelt, who, as police commissioner of New York City, closed down some of the worst lodging houses. Riis's advocacy led to reforms in building codes and housing conditions. His work also helped to lay the groundwork for future social documentary photography.

Jacob Riis's legacy is significant because he used his skills to advocate for those who were voiceless and to bring about real change in society. His work is an early example of the power of visual media to influence public opinion and policy, a concept that remains relevant in today's world of instant digital communication and media.

Question 3

Instructions: Identify the following. Be as specific as possible, and include names, dates, and relevant facts as appropriate. Be sure to explain the significance of the person or term. 
Scott Joplin

Accepted Answer

Scott Joplin (c. 1868 – April 1, 1917) was an American composer and pianist, widely recognized as one of the most important and influential composers of ragtime music. Born in Northeast Texas, he grew up in a musical family of railway laborers and was exposed to music at an early age. Joplin's exact date of birth is not known, but he was posthumously awarded a Pulitzer Prize in 1976 for his contributions to American music.

Joplin's work as a composer reached its peak between the late 1890s and the 1910s. His most famous composition is "Maple Leaf Rag," published in 1899, which was one of the first pieces of sheet music to sell over a million copies. This piece was significant because it established Joplin as the "King of Ragtime Writers" and helped to popularize the ragtime genre, which became a key influence on the development of other musical styles, including jazz.

In addition to the "Maple Leaf Rag," Joplin composed many other rags, waltzes, and marches, which showcased his sophisticated use of syncopation and his classical training. His other notable works include "The Entertainer," which gained renewed popularity in the 1970s when it was used as the theme music for the film "The Sting," and the ragtime opera "Treemonisha," which was not fully appreciated during his lifetime but is now considered an important work in the history of American opera.

Scott Joplin's music was not only significant for its beauty and complexity but also for its role in the cultural life of African Americans at the turn of the 20th century. His compositions provided a sense of pride and achievement during a time when African Americans faced significant racial discrimination and segregation.

Joplin's legacy is that of a pioneer who elevated ragtime from a lowly-regarded music form to a respected and influential genre. His sophisticated style and the popularity of his compositions paved the way for future generations of musicians and composers. Joplin's influence can be heard in the works of later jazz musicians and in the ongoing appreciation and performance of ragtime music today.

Question 4

Instructions: Identify the following. Be as specific as possible, and include names, dates, and relevant facts as appropriate. Be sure to explain the significance of the person or term. 
Victorian morality

Accepted Answer