history of toilet paper

Obviously, toilet paper hasn’t been around forever.  We can be pretty sure that those living before the late 19^th Century weren’t able to drop by their local quickie mart mega stores to pick up a case of Charmin triple-ply, or Cottonelle flushable moist wipes.  Rather, the innovation of the roll of toilet paper is a very modern product and convenience, in which today, has arguably become a household commodity. 

So then, how did we go from nature’s fruitful leaves to the multiple choices that we are bombarded with every time we enter the tissue section at the grocery store today? 

Evidence seems to suggest that original material used in place of toilet paper ranged anywhere from leaves and sticks, to cobs of corn, or linen.  It is believed that although the earliest form of toilet paper on a roll wasn’t introduced until 1880, people made do with many various items that stemmed from their environments.  

For example, those living in the Northern parts of the world –in particularly, the Eskimos- used tundra moss when available in the summer months, and handfuls of snow during the balance of the year.  Those living in coastal areas or tropical settings used mussel shells or old coconut shells, those living in the colonial times of America, when farming consisted of 75% of the U.S. practicing workforce used cobs of corn, or hung paper products in the form of mail order catalogs (Like that of Sears Roebucks, etc.).  In ancient Rome, the popular item was a sponge attached to the end of a stick immersed in salt water.  If this were the case today, don’t you think it’s possible that we might take the coined phrase, “wrong end of the stick” a little more seriously?

                                                                          

Even more inconceivable, many societies in the Eastern parts of the world saw it socially correct to use their left hand.  Some theorists believe that this is why most cultures use their right hands when meeting new people. This previous form of hygiene is still transgressed in those cultures today, as they find it rude and socially incorrect to shake the left hand of another.

TOILET PAPER IN PERSPECTIVE:

Regardless of what was used, or how gross our associations of toilet paper and the bathroom are, the product itself has made life easier for everyone and has made finding things to clean ourselves up a thing of the past. Today there are over 5,000 different companies producing bathroom tissue around the world trying to make our lives more convenient, clean and efficient.  In a study done back in 1997, it was estimated that 71.48 frugal people contribute to the waste of one roll of 1,000 sheet single ply toilet paper everyday.

                                                                      

With a little over 6 billion humans living on earth, that calls for the daily production of 83,048,116 rolls per day with no days off and no vacations, 30.6 billion rolls per year and 2.7 rolls per second.  Strangely enough, that’s 80% greater than our daily consumption or use of salt, 63% greater than our average use of milk, and 84 billion more people served annually than McDonald’s fast food restaurants.  Yet, still we often times remain oblivious to toilet paper and take advantage of the convenience it provides for us.                                                

           

The average sheet of toilet paper weighs in at a little over .22 grams and 4.0625 inches per square reaching approximately338.5 feet per roll and 5.3 million miles of toilet paper per day. 

Furthermore, Americans skip to the loo an average of 6 times per day, adding up to as much as 47 minutes in a single 24 hour time period.  Women spend more time with the fluffy white stuff than men, or approximately 32 months in a lifetime versus 25 months for men.  However, women on average also tend to live longer than men, and object most often to men leaving the seat up. 

Each time we reach for the “cotton-savior”, an average tear of 5.9 sheets is ripped from the roll.  44% of people wipe from front to back, and 60% look at the paper having just wiped, 42% fold, 33% crumple, 8% do both fold and crumple, 6% wrap it around their hands and at least 50% of people have at one time or another wiped with leaves, or something foreign to toilet paper (8% hands, 1% money).

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WONDERFUL WHITE STUFF:

Although toilet paper carries an amazing historical past, and its significance to our lives frequents more times daily than the toothbrush, hair spray, shower, or dinner table, we too often forget about the importance of toilet paper.  Whether it is due to the bad wrap that comes with its association with the bathroom and what goes on there, or just the simple fact that we have never had to do without it, this multiple purpose paper provides for us, makes things more convenient for us, and ultimately helps us look, feel and be clean. 

Toilet paper is also very versatile.  Outside of its obvious use, many people find that it makes a great substitute for that all too common problem of an empty Kleenex box.  Others find that it is perfect for Halloween costumes, like mummy’s, or zombies, while others use it to decorate certain peoples’ houses during the middle of the night.  Whatever the case may be, toilet paper is always there for us and always providing for us. 

                                  

Some people like to poke fun at it, like Seinfeld, or MTV’s Beavis and Butthead, while others like to waste it, or “eat it”.  You all know what I am talking about, the type of person that consumes half of the roll per trip to the bathroom, because of one bad experience that caused them to be petrified of ever getting their hands dirty.  While some others wouldn’t know the difference between the various brands of toilet paper, nor care for that matter…even if you were to replace the transparent, paper-thin toilet paper that UST uses with that of the softest, most expensive and soothing brand. 

Speaking of which, just where are those tuition dollars of ours going?  For the expense of one class, you would think that UST administration could work something out to provide a little more comfort than that of the paper found in our notebooks we take notes on during class.  It seems as though for most people, we don’t really recognize the convenience of toilet paper until one day when we have to relieve ourselves and we are left stranded, as the empty hook stares back at us with laughter and revenge. 

So, how do we improvise in these situations, how do we go about handling this dilemma?

 

“THE DILEMMA”

Well, it’s safe to say that in today’s world, there are a lot more options than a seashell, or an ear of corn, but nothing truly compares to that of toilet paper.  Since we have already established the importance and history of toilet paper –our often-overlooked friend- we are only left with one problem:  What type of toilet paper do we buy? 

For those of you who purchase your own rolls of toilet paper, you probably understand the abundant selection that is offered, but for those of you who don’t, let me explain...

It’s not quite as hard as in earlier times when picking the right leaves was important for preventing those unwanted rashes or problems, but the next time you visit the grocery store, take a trip down the toilet paper isle and gaze upon the wonderful world of white that has gradually come about over the last 100 years.  Choosing between:  Charmin, Charmin Ultra, Charmin double, Charmin Triple, Charmin unscented/scented, Best Yet, Quilted Northern, Cottonelle, Angel Soft, Soft’n Gentle, Green Forest, Scott, or even Brawni and all of their own double, triple, pillow soft, and smelly or non-smelly choices, can really become a mind-boggling event. 

Whether we are bombarded at the grocery store with the umpteen different kinds of toilet paper, or just strapped for cash, the decisions we make not only effect our hygiene, but also our finances and social lives.  Take for example the average college student, who, with so many bills to pay they’re coming out his or her ears, creates conflict in his or her decisions of whether to purchase beer or toilet paper.  This dilemma shouldn’t be an issue, as both are necessities, but sadly it is true.  An example of this was portrayed through the grammy award winning commercial from Anheiser Busch.

  

WHAT TO CONCLUDE ABOUT TOILET PAPER:

The short video clip may have struck home with a few of you, but regardless of all of the ways to solve your dilemmas, just remember that toilet paper shouldn’t be something that we just use, abuse, or have little regard for. It is produced for our hygiene, but is often too oblivious to our own consciousness that it is one of the biggest conveniences in our daily lives. 

Now that I have brought given you a little information on the history and importance of Toilet Paper, and shown you how T.P. is our friend and it’s okay to talk about it, I hope that you all can have a greater appreciation for toilet paper and every other small thing that contributes to making our lives easier and more convenient.