In 1927, concerned that women were poorly provided with public lavatories,
and always had to pay to use a cublicle, while men could use urinals
without charge, the Public Health Committee in London reported that "a
fitment for women has been designed, known as a urinette. It is similar to
a w.c., but is narrower and has a flushing rim. ... Urinettes are fixed in
w.c. compartments, usually with a curtain in front instead of a door."
Eight boroughs installed urinettes in a total of 30 places, but, the report confesses, "The urinettes are not popular ... the attendants state that they are sometimes used in an uncleanly manner and require supervision to maintain them in a hygenic condition."
See also Shaw.