A significant early collection of
graffiti was published under the
pseudonym Hurlothrumbo in 1731. The book, titled
The Merry-Thought: or, the Glass-Window and Bog-House Miscellany, transcribes graffiti found in public latrines in England, much of it humorous or sexual. The volume may have been attributed to Hurlothrumbo by the publisher or editor to benefit from the popularity of Johnson's play.
Hurlothrumbo is said to have been the name of the
steamship on which
Emperor Norton came to San Francisco. Norton then went into partnership with the ship's engineer to use the engine from the scrapped ship to power equipment for gold mining camps, an apparatus also called Hurlothrumbo. ==Notes==