Who Invented Toilet Paper?

Without getting too in depth, we can probably all agree that the person who invented toilet paper deserves a lot of thanks. Toilet paper is an important component of a bathroom visit. We are not even going to discuss where we would be without it. Like many other people, places, and things, toilet paper has its own unique history.

Before toilet paper came into existence, people used whatever they could in its place. Imagine how painful and annoying that must have been? Picture a toilet area completely surrounded by rocks, pine needles, or other unpleasant objects. In that scenario, it might have been best not to use anything at all!

However, despite that, the ancient Greeks often used stones and clay. The ancient Romans used sponges attached to sticks, which they kept in salt water. In the ancient Mideastern area, people usually used their left hand.

In early western American civilization, individuals used corncobs or pages torn from magazines or newspapers.

Who Invented Toilet Paper?

Even though Americans did not use traditional toilet paper in their early days, toilet paper as we know it actually originated in 14th century China. Chinese emperors ordered the toilet paper in two by three foot sheets.

In 1857, Joseph C. Gayetty, from New York, started producing the first packaged toilet paper in the United States of America. The sheets were named "Gayetty's Medicated Paper" and were pre-moistened and medicated with aloe. In fact, his name was printed on every single sheet of toilet paper.

The toilet paper that we are most familiar with first appeared on the scene in 1880. This toilet paper was rolled up and its edges were perforated. The conception of this toilet paper has been attributed to both the Scott Paper Company and the Albany Perforated Wrapping Company.

Fun Facts

Toilet paper has come a long way from rocks, shells, and other unpleasant objects for the human body. Now that we know who invented toilet paper, and we realize that it was a process to which various individuals contributed, we can look at some fun facts about toilet paper.

• Americans use about 21,000 sheets of toilet paper per year. Next time you start unraveling a roll, think about how you are affecting the environment.
• Toilet paper is so resillent that it is used for industrial wipers.
• During the Desert Storm War, the military used toilet paper to camoflauge their tanks when they were in Saudi Arabia.
• Just over 660 rolls of toilet paper are used at the Pentagon on a daily basis.
• Over the course of a lifetime, the average individual spends about three years sitting on the toilet bowl.
• Most toilet paper measures 4.5 inches by 4.5 inches.
• A standard roll of toilet paper lasts about five days in the average bathroom.
• Individuals generally use about 57 sheets of toilet paper per day.
• Toilet paper made from recycled materials is now available, and feels the same while also being better for the environment.