In America, toilet paper is one of those things we tend to take for granted unless you can't find a roll. But have you ever wondered what people did before it was invented, and how long it’s been in use? The answers might surprise you.
So, brought to you from all of us and Wikipedia, of course--here is the history of toilet paper, courtesy of Benicia Plumbing.
B.P.--Before Paper
Before toilet paper, people mainly used whatever was free and readily available for personal hygiene. Unfortunately, many of the options were quite painful: Wood shavings, hay, rocks, corn cobs, and even frayed anchor cables. Ancient Romans used a sponge on a stick that sat in a bucket of saltwater and was shared by everyone (yuck). Leaves, rags, moss and grass were some of the less-painful (and probably more sanitary) options. Wealthy people used wool, lace or other fabrics.
It Goes Back to China
The idea of toilet paper actually dates back to medieval China, when a Chinese emperor used 2-feet by 3-feet sheets of paper. Paper has been used for bathroom duty for thousands of years since then. In the late 15th century, paper became readily available, so the newspaper was commonly used as toilet paper. In more modern times, Americans used the Sears & Roebuck catalog and The Old Farmer’s Almanac. In fact, photos of the Almanac from the 1800s and early 1900s show the book was made with a hole in the corner, so it could easily be hung up in the outhouse.
Mass-Produced Toilet Paper
The first commercially packaged toilet paper was made in 1857 by Joseph Gayetty. The paper was wet with aloe and had his name printed on every sheet. It was sold as a medical product and claimed to prevent hemorrhoids. The product wasn’t very successful, because most people had a hard time paying the equivalent of $12 for 500 sheets when there were so many free options available.
The Age of Perforation
The mass production of toilet paper continued, however, and perforated rolls like what we use today were patented in 1871 by Zeth Wheeler. The Scott brand made toilet paper rolls popular beginning in 1890 because it was sold to hotels and drug stores. Many people were uncomfortable buying the product because Americans were embarrassed by their own bodily functions at the time. Toilet paper was literally uncomfortable until the 1930s because it contained splinters.
Who is the Inventor of Charmin
The Hoberg Paper Company invented Charmin toilet paper in 1928. It quickly became a necessity for everyone instead of a luxury item reserved only for the very wealthy. They eventually changed the name to Charmin Paper Company in 1950 and were later acquired by Procter & Gamble in 1957.
About Benicia Plumbing
At Benicia Plumbing, Inc., we’ve been serving our clients since 1975 and always looking to utilize the latest technology in today’s plumbing world. By providing complete plumbing services to businesses, industry, homebuilders, and homeowners throughout the northern California Bay Area, we’ve been able to stay at the forefront of this industry and succeed at a high level.
Source: Wikipedia
