Why is Mario a Plumber?

The world’s most well known plumber is none other than Mario. Our favorite mustachioed hero has gone through more pipes than real plumbers and saved the day (as in, cleaned up the mess) more times than you can count. But how did such a prominent figure end up to become a plumber? He could have been anything – but he became a plumber. Here’s how it all happened.

The Name

When Mario was first created in 1981, he was called “Jumpman”, and starred as a character along with the popular fan favorite – Donkey Kong. The titular game involved Mario to climb up a series of ladders and obstacles to rescue a lady at a construction site. Mario’s first occupation was thus, a carpenter. When studio executives held a meeting at their headquarters to decide a new name for Jumpman, their landlord stormed in demanding payment. Incidentally, Jumpman was named Mario, which was also the name of the landlord.

Underground Pipes

Now Mario’s world was designed for the underground. The creators incorporated pipes as a means of transportation, which kind of made sense because in the real world, the underground are filled with pipes. Mario, who travels through these pipes frequently throughout the game, thus became known as a plumber. It is interesting to note that Mario does not wield a plunger nor engages in any household cleaning. However, his outfit and facial features probably paved the stereotype for a typical plumber – full moustache, suspenders, cap, and big-bellied. His outfit and distinct features are in fact, halloween favorites. Believe it or not, there are quite a few mom and pops plumbing company that leverage the name “Mario” to advertise for their own plumbing shops. Perfectly legal and a smart move too.

Mario’s brother, Luigi is also a plumber by profession. The two are called Mario Bros, and according to their tv show, own a plumbing company. Of course Nintendo, the company that owns the franchise, never really show the Mario’s Bros engage in any actual plumbing possibly due to the gross nature of sewage, as well as consideration for their target demographic.

This begs the question, do we really want to see the Mario Bros unclog a toilet and install a water heater in the next Mario game?Super Mario World of Plumbing sure sounds like a game every kid should gift to their dads. Let us know what you think in the comment section below.

Mario may be our hero but let’s not forget the real heroes of this world – the plumbers who keep our streets clean and our homes sanitized and sludge free. In lieu of father’s day, nothing shows more about caring for your home and your family than giving dad some cleaning equipment and a plunger – the complete bathroom cleaning set. Hillcrest Plumbing & Heating‘s famous discount store offers the cheapest and most affordable plumbing equipment in Vancouver. Come visit our location and see our massive selection of plumbing equipment.