A Messy Subject

"Toilet Paper" is an invention, that changed our lives forever. Today's society would be lost without it. I have often sat there admiring, my nice, soft, three ply toilet paper. Then I started to wonder, who invented toilet paper?

Toilet paper use was first recorded, around the 6th centuryAD in China. The very first recorded words about toilet paper, were recorded in China around 589AD. The sheets of toilet paper, were used by the Imperial Palace and Court. Records show in 1393AD, toilet paper was being produced in square sheets. Distributed at the rate of, 720,000 per year.

If you were poor, it was very unfortunate. Ingenuity was used, to find other methods. Various different methods were adopted, by the poor. Water or leaves, are only two of the methods. It really was left up to their imagination. They would just pray, that it was not to scratchy!

The man who brought toilet paper to the American people, was "Joseph Gayetty". A resident of the United States. He presented the toilet paper in 1857, as square sheets. The American public loved the idea. This first design, sold for around 63 years. This was called "Gayetty's medical Paper".

However in 1879, the very first toilet paper on a roll appeared. Developed by the Scott Paper Company, it did not catch on straight away. The general public felt the paper was to thin. Making it very difficult and messy, going to the bathroom. People were happy to go back, to their old ways of doing things. Quite a few years later, around 1942. St Andrews Paper Mill in Great Britain, produced the first two ply toilet paper.

Then toilet paper, was off and running! One of the softest and most relieving bathroom visits, purchasers of this time had ever experienced. From then on, toilet paper on a roll became very popular. People could not refuse, the luxury of the two ply paper.

The toilet paper industry grew rapidly, over the next few years. Today we find it difficult, to choose a brand. These days, we enjoy the pleasure of a three ply selection. Only natural I suppose, nobody wants a tear of the paper - I know I certainly don't!

People are now matching designs of toilet paper, to the design of their bathrooms. Many different colours are available. Colours for ladies and for gents. Various types of picture designs because when you are stuck, you need something to look at. There is just no avoiding it sometimes! Lovely embossed designs, which are simply the ultimate in comfort.

The other popular use for toilet paper, is the Bride and groom's exit vehicle. Traditionally all exit vehicles, are covered with toilet paper. exhaust pipe, bumper bar, radio aerial. Along with the added joy, of shaving cream and clanging cans.

What a pleasure in life, this invention has become!

(C)Copyright, Tassie Stuart, 2011