"Pittsburgh Potties": A Real & Very Mysterious Thing

Ever wandered down into someone's basement and seen a fully functional toilet in the middle of the room? 'Pittsburgh Potties' are just that --common commodes installed in your average unfinished basement, without walls or doors --and so named because of their prevalence in Western Pennsylvania. Why, you might be asking, is this an actual thing in this area? I'm glad you're as curious as I was.