Toilet paper – interesting facts not only from ancient history

It is believed that the Romans invented a sewerage system thousands of years ago just to be forgotten for centuries. And this was very similar to the production of toilet paper. But this is not the only interesting fact that this simple roll of processed paper can take pride in…

Toilet paper. So simple yet in our eyes an irreplaceable aid. However, there were times when humans did not use this modern history invention (as we know it today). And maybe it will surprise you, but there are countries in this world today that can live without it. But let’s take this step-by-step…

Privilege of the Imperial Court

The first references to toilet paper date back to the 8-9th century in China. At that time, there were not as many copywriters as there are today to record further written pieces of knowledge because for the following hundreds of years nobody said a word about it. The breakthrough came in the 14th century. During the reign of the Chinese Ming Dynasty, fragments of paper tissue that were even perfumed were used. Only people from the Imperial Court could afford it and no one else. And by no one else we mean really NO ONE! Not even the rest of the world had any luck.

Sweet 21st Century

Are you wondering what came before toilet paper? It would seem that anything that was within reach. After reading this, you will find out that living nowadays is not that bad after all..

• The ancient Romans used a sponge with salt water attached to the stick.
• The sailors were able to manage with just an end of a rope.
• The rich people in the Middle Ages were given fabric, lace, wool, and the poor were left with their hands and water or hay, leaves or wood shavings.
• The Americans used corn leaves for this purpose.
• The Inuit always had an unlimited amount of snow.

Photo Source: flushtoiletblog.blogspot.com

Americans in the spotlight

The modern toilet paper, with its commercial appearance, came to this world in 1857. It was the American Joseph Gayetty, who was so proud of his product, that he was printing his name on each sheet. By the way, this toilet paper was sold by his company only as flat sheets of paper, but they failed to take root on the market, even though they promised healing effects. People preferred to use Sears Roebuck catalogue. Why spend money on paper when something similar comes straight to your mailbox and it is for free?

We got down to the production of paper rolls in 1890 thanks to Scott Paper Company, founded by Edward I and Clarence W. Scott. They were more successful than Gayetty because they focused on hotels, drugstores, B2B (business to business, editor´s note.) sector first.

Photo Source: listverse.com

In Europe, for example, there was a paper company in Harmanec, which was built in 1829 by Frantisek Zikmund, a merchant from Banska Bystrica (Slovakia), which served as a manufactory for handmade paper production and was one of the most modern paper factories in Austria-Hungary. Hermandol folded toilet paper was produced here between the 19th and 20th centuries. Rolled toilet paper was made in the modern times of the paper company, when the factory as the first began with its production in former Czechoslovakia in 1972.

Photo Source: hu.museum-digital.de

Topic not commonly talked about

Until 1902, Scott Paper Company did not want to take any credit for producing this little toiletry. Topics about the place, where you go spend a penny, were taboo for Americans for a long time. The idea of someone going to buy a toilet paper to a store and being ashamed to name the product is ridiculous.

Company called Charmin succeeded to overcome this sensitive topic in 1928 by placing a logo of a beautiful woman on the cover. She was supposed to evoke the feeling of softness and happiness in men and women. Together with the sale of an economic package of four rolls, it was such a good marketing move that it helped the company to survive the Great Economic Crisis during the interwar period. By the way, even today Charmin is the leading manufacturer of toilet paper in the US. The logo, however, was changed to a baby and now they are using a bear’s face.

Since then, toilet paper has evolved considerably. Gradually, perfume was introduced, toilet paper of 2-3 ply and various prints were added – from simple patterns to colorful pictures often sold as a “limited time offer”.

What you did (not) know about toilet paper?

If the historical window of this hygiene helper interested you, wait a little bit more and keep reading. We have some jaw-dropping facts for you.

70-75% of the human population almost never use toilet paper. For example, the Indians just need a hand and water. But wait! Only the left hand. They eat with the right hand and confusion of the hands is a true violation for them.

Whoever was on holiday in Greece knows that the used toilet paper cannot be thrown into the toilets. Engineers have designed too narrow drain sockets that do not allow so much waste to slide through. After doing your thing on the toilet, you need to throw the paper into the trash.

Are you looking for cheap wedding dress? You can have them put together from toilet paper. Every year, there is a competition organized for the best dress made from this material and the winner gets up to $ 10,000.

Photo Source: themarkerpost.com

The toilet paper has its day in the calendar. The Americans formally recognize it as the National Day of Toilet Paper and it annually falls on August 26th.

There even is the most expensive toilet paper in the world. It was made by an Australian of 22-carat gold, which is wrapped around the roll. It was originally made for promotional purposes, but you can also buy it. You only need $ 1.3 million.

Photo Source: youtube.com

The Guinness Book of Records also hides one rare record – the largest roll of toilet paper. It was created by already mentioned Charmin company. Its diameter was 2.97 meters and height 2.59 meters.

Final icings on the cake:

• A person on average uses 57 pieces of toilet paper per day.
• One roll of toilet paper lasts for about 5 days in a household.
• Reportedly, 1 out of 20 people do not wash their hands properly after.
• Fragrance is always applied on the roll, not on the paper itself, as it used to be.
• 7% of Americans steal toilet paper from hotels and motels.
• 61% of people use toilet paper for nose cleaning, 17% for removing spilled liquids, and 8% for removing makeup.

When respondents were asked what they would bring to a desert island, 49% of them preferred toilet paper to food. We are sure that not only these respondents consider toilet paper a commonplace. Be honest now, can you imagine life without a toilet paper?

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