Who Invented Toilet Paper
Toilet paper is considered, by many people, to be an essential everyday product. It is most commonly used for cleaning after defecation or urination, but has many secondary uses as well. The first documented use of toilet paper dates back to 6 AD in China, but it became an essential household commodity much later. Let’s take a look at who invented this important personal hygiene product.
Who invented modern toilet paper?
The inventor of modern toilet paper is American inventor Joseph Gayetty. He developed toilet paper called “Gayetty’s Medicated Paper” that included aloe vera as a lubricant. He marketed his product as an anti-hemorrhoid medical product with the slogan; “the greatest necessity of the age! Gayetty’s medicated paper for the water-closet.” He sold the product in packages of flat sheets of toilet paper. Each package contained 500 sheets and sold for 50 cents! This product was not overly successful, but it remained on sale until the 1920’s. Gayetty licensed his invention to other companies and the availability of toilet paper greatly increased.
The first company to begin making perforated toilet paper on a roll was the Scott Paper Company of Philadelphia in 1890. They quickly became the leading producer of toilet paper in the United States. Today, the humble roll of toilet paper is one of the most well recognized household products.
Did you know?
In 1930 the company Northern Tissue created the first splinter free toilet paper. Early production techniques sometimes left splinters of wood in the toilet paper. Needless to say the splinter free version quickly became very popular!
In 1942 two-ply toilet paper was invented in Great Britain by the St. Andrews Paper Mill in England.
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