Who invented toilet paper?

History

Wooden toilet paper from the Nara period (710 to 784) in Japan. The modern rolls in the background are for size comparisonRecords of human usage of toilet paper first appeared in China, during the 14th century.

The classic 16th century satirical novel Gargantua and Pantagruel by François Rabelais contains references to various toilet paper alternatives. For example, in the 13th chapter of the First Book, titled "How Grandgousier realized Gargantua's marvelous intelligence, by his invention of an Arse-wipe," the giant Gargantua, while still a child, tries dozens of different methods for wiping his bottom, including paper, but unfortunately he finds it "leaves some chips on his ballocks". Finally he discovers the best method:

But to conclude, I say and maintain that there is no arse-wiper like a well-downed goose, if you hold her neck between your legs. You must take my word for it, you really must. You get a miraculous sensation in your arse-hole, both from the softness of the down and from the temperate heat of the goose herself; and this is easily communicated to the bum-gut and the rest of the intestines, from which it reaches the heart and the brain.

The first factory-made paper marketed exclusively for toilet use was produced by Joseph Gayetty in the United States in 1857. Gayetty's name was printed on every sheet.

Before this invention, wealthy people used wool, lace or hemp for their ablutions, while less wealthy people used their hand when defecating into rivers, or cleaned themselves with various materials such as rags, wood shavings, leaves, grass, hay, stone, sand, moss, water, snow, maize husks, fruit skins, or seashells, and cobb of the corn depending upon the country and weather conditions or social customs. In Ancient Rome, a sponge on a stick was commonly used, and, after usage, placed back in a bucket of saltwater.

In some parts of the world, the use of newspaper, or telephone directory pages, was common. Old Farmer's Almanac was sold with a hole punched in the corner so it could be hung on a nail in an outhouse. The widely-distributed Sears catalogue was also a popular choice until it began to be printed on glossy paper (at which point, some people wrote to the company to complain). In Hervé Bazin's book, "Viper in the Fist", a Catholic family uses pages of the Catholic newspaper, La Croix (after tearing off the cross of Calvary). In modern flush toilets, using newspaper as toilet paper is liable to cause blockages.

In monarchical Russia, a subordinate stamped the toilet paper with imperial arms for the use of the Tsar. In the court of Henry VIII of England, the Groom of the Stool was given the job of cleaning the royal posterior with his hand. The Groom of the Stool was both a highly respected and coveted position. For security reasons, only a highly trusted courtier would be chosen and it was coveted because of the influence he might have with the king, daily having the opportunity to be alone with His Majesty.

Using water to clean oneself, in lieu of toilet paper, is common in India and Muslim countries, where people use their left hand to clean themselves and their right hand for eating or greeting (In parts of Africa, though, the converse is true, and a right-handed handshake could be considered rude). The use of water in Muslim countries is due in part to Muslim sharia which encourages washing after defecation. The lack of availability of paper in the Mideast and North Africa during the early period of Islamic history probably promoted this regime out of necessity. Toilet paper is not as rare today in these households, but in many countries, a hose with a water sprayer (called a "health faucet") or a pail of water is found instead.

Some people will just compromise and use toilet paper dipped in water to clean themselves. There have been attempts to market wet swipes as toilet paper, but the market was not big enough.

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Timeline

A print by William Hogarth entitled A Just View of the British Stage from 1724 depicting Robert Wilks, Colley Cibber, and Barton Booth rehearsing a pantomime play with puppets enacting a prison break down a privy. The "play" is comprised of nothing but special effects, and the scripts for Hamlet, inter al., are toilet paper.14th century: toilet paper first produced in China (for the Emperor's use)
1596: invention of the flushing toilet by Sir John Harington
1700s: newspaper is a popular choice of toilet paper since it is widely available
1710s: bidet invented
1857: Joseph Gayetty sells first factory-made toilet paper in the USA
1879: Scott Paper Company sells the first toilet paper on a roll, although initially they do not print their company name on the packaging
late 19th century: rolls of perforated toilet paper available for the first time, replaces razor or knife on dispensers
1890s: Sears catalogue first becomes available, commonly used in rural America
1900: plumbing improvements of the Victorian era have led to wide use of flushing toilet and (in Europe) the bidet
1930s: Sears starts publishing its catalogue on less absorbent glossy paper
1935: Northern Tissue advertises its toilet paper as "splinter-free"
1942: first two-ply toilet paper, St. Andrew's Paper Mill in England, toilet paper becomes softer and more pliable
1943: novelty toilet paper printed with images of Hitler
1973 December 19: comedian Johnny Carson causes a three week toilet paper shortage in the USA after a joke scares consumers into stockpiling supplies
1980: the paperless toilet invented in Japan (combination toilet, bidet and drying element, see Japanese toilet)
1990-1991: Gulf War, American troops camouflage tanks with toilet paper
1990s: tissues containing ingredients like aloe begin to be heavily marketed in the USA
1990s: in the United Kingdom, Andrex sells the first moist toilet tissues (compare wet wipes or baby wipes)
Early 2000s: In the wake of the September 11th Attacks, novelty toilet papers in the USA started getting printed with images of Osama Bin Laden.
2005: Portuguese Renova launched the first Black Toilet Paper.
Today in some Muslim countries, toilet paper with added "wet strength" (chemicals to keep it from dissolving in water too quickly) is beginning to be accepted for drying (rather than cleaning, as is common in Western countries).

2006: Frenchtoiletpaper.com launches a unique line of colored toilet paper.

The Bureau of Imperial Supplies in china was the first to acutely make toilet paper. However, not as we know it, what we know it as was invented in 1879 by a company that was embarrassed to but there name on it because it was somewhat embarrassing to the company to actually make this product, Ha if the only know, it would make them famous. If you would like to know what company was embarrassed try this http://nobodys-perfect.com/vtpm/ExhibitHall/Informational/tphistory.html and if you would like a good time line you could read this http://www.toiletpaperworld.com/tpw/encyclopedia/navigation/funfacts.htm this was a good question I learned a lot, Thank you for posting it, (O:

Many tried to sell paper to clean yourself but all failed because people thought it was a waste of money. It wasn't until two brothers named Scott marketed the concept of dropping the word toliet and using a well known name that denoted cache. Waldorf Tissue.

If you have ever watched the bear commercial on television, you would know the answer. the baby bear is the official "tester".

someone who didnt like to have a smelly hand

Ancient Chinese invented the paper and began using it for toilet purposes.
In 12th century, Chinese Royal family started using specially designed pieces of paper (that were even perfumed)! That toilet paper was very similar to our modern toilet paper.

The first modern and commercially sold toilet paper was created in USA in 19th century by Joseph C. Gayetty.

More info on
http://www.toiletpaperhistory.net/toilet-paper-history