What Did People Use Before Toilet Paper?
At first, toilet paper was seen to be an affront to Victorian sensability. Alcock promoted his product with an almost religious zeal and by 1888, toilet paper roll holders were sold in almost every hardware store. So, what did people use before this invention?
Romans were ahead of the rest of the population of the world. They would use sponges, wool, and rosewater. They were definitely the cleanest of the clean.
The rest of the world used whatever was nearby that was not needed. Among things used were sticks, stones, dry bones, and leaves. None of which sound very comfortable and they probably weren't.
By the middle ages, royalty had moved up considerably. They used goose feathers or silk that was attached to a pliable neck. This could then be washed and reused. Still, since things were not all that clean during the days, this may not have been all that desirable. It still sounds better than rocks, though.
Rural Americans tended to use corn cobs. They do not sound all the comfortable, however, it is reported that they are not really uncomfortable at all. It is only old corn cobs that are uncomfortable. James Whitcomb Riley even wrote a poem about this occurrence, "The torture of that icy seat could make a Spartan sob / For needs must scrape the gooseflesh with a lacerating cob."
However, due to Alcock, by the late 1930s, most mail order catalogues offered toilet paper by the case. Although, at times, people still used things such as the pages of catalogues for toilet paper.
Now, there are many different types of toilet paper all around the world. Here are just a few facts about some different toilet papers.
Czechoslovakian toilet paper is the consistency of writing paper. Sometimes it is known as "poor man's stationary."
German toilet paper is light gray in color and every sheet is printed with the words "Deutsche Bundesbahn."
In England, toilet paper in museums is marked, "Official Government Property." Nobody is certain why they care.
Some bathroom in Scandinavia have an extra heavy roll of toilet paper so it is too hard to steal.
This problem has been solved in Mexico by not providing any toilet paper. Instead, people must bring their own.
Published by Bridget Ilene Delaney
Bridget Ilene Delaney is the author of "This is My Bucket." She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism. She writes many articles on a variety of other subjects. She is interested in diabetes compli... View profile
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10 Comments
Post a CommentThe Chinese were the first to invent toilet paper some time before the 6th century AD, with the earliest recorded reference of its use in Korea around 589 AD. Around 851 AD an Arab traveler to China remarked that the Chinese "are unclean because they don't use water, only paper..." In the U.S., the Scott brothers patented and marketed rolls of it, eventually leading to the rolls we know today. By 1925 the Scott paper company became the world's leading maker of toilet paper. In 1995, the Scott company was acquired by the paper behemoth, Kimberly-Clark.
LOL...I'm still on the rocks and bones! Who's bones were used?
I'd be interested in hearing where this person got their information because in many parts of the world they still use their left hand...that's why you only ever offer your right hand to shake. It's a very big insult to put your left forward.
LOl. This was a really interesting article. There is a joke here...anyone remember "John Wayne toilet paper"?
Most of the earliest cultures simply used their hands. Their left ones, to be specific. In certain parts of the world, it is still considered rude to use your left hand at the dinner table. It is also the reason that we use our right hands to shake with while our left remains at our side.
I think they used leaves
this is such and informative article. i've wondered about this myself a time or two. thanks for writing this article.
Great article! I've always wondered the same myself. I was actually beginning to speculate that previous cultures too more the path of some groups in India - one hand reserved for the job! When I was in Madagascar, I visited one friend's family and they were using discarded newspaper... definitely not so pleasant.
pine cones!
The Sears and Roebuck catalogu was also a popular "tool" back in the day of cobs. LOL..Neat article.