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February 13, 2007 5:56 PM

Experiential Marketing: 100 Years Ago

In the late 1800s, in a time when lack of clean water and sanitation was causing epidemics, a local chemical maker in Vienna, Austria needed a publicity stunt to let the public know how well his products worked.

He purchased two wine cellars under a busy Viennese street (the Graben) and hired the well-known architect Adolf Loos to design underground water closets or WC (restrooms).

Built in the modernist style - in addition to the facilities - the upscale lavatories feature chandeliers and fine crafted mahogany.

Vienna WC

What looks like a subway entrance is actually the entrance to the underground restrooms. There is an entrance each for ladies (Damen) and gentlemen (Herren).

Vienna WC

They proved to be clean back then - and over 100 years later they are still clean!

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WOW! that's a far cry from the public restrooms here in Seattle that double as "offices" if you know what I mean. What is it about European culture that allows public use facilities to remain so clean? Is it the exquisite design? Is it socialism? Is it the culture's respect for public places? I'm in awe.

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