South Australian invention the Caroma dual flush toilet was launched in August 1981. Atchinson's cartoon humorously draws attention to the innovative dual flush system: the cartoon depicts a person disappearing down the toilet after pressing the full flush and half flush buttons at the same time.

In 1941 Hungarian immigrant Charles Rothauser founded the plastics company whichwas renamed 'Caroma' in 1956, when the company commenced manufacture of bathroom products. In 1980 Caroma developed the 'Duoset' cistern with two buttons and flush volumes, which was proven in testing to save a substantial volume of water. This system was such an efficient water-saving device that all Australian states, except New South Wales, soon introduced legislation to make the installation of dual flush toilets compulsory in all new buildings.Further development of the product took place in 1994, when Caroma redesigned the toilet in an 'organic' shape, which combined with the dual flush cistern halved the amount of water normally flushed away. With an emphasis worldwide on water conservation, Caroma produces and exports various watersaving bathroom products including dual flush cisterns internationally.

Caroma

Powerhouse Museum: Australia Innovates: Dual Flush Toilet