The quick and dirty history of toilet paper begins with toilet paper out of the picture. Not even in colonial America did our charming ‘bear’ bottoms experience a soft and perfumed wipe after one’s ‘necessary.’ That came decades later. In fact, the first toilet paper had chips and splinters which cuddly blue bears would not have find pleasant, no matter how happy advertisers painted them. But with backs to the wall, if we had to come up with an ‘ah-ha’ moment, when colonials began to use tree by-product before getting on with their day, sorry ole Ben Franklin, but the Poor Richard’s Almanac, and later Old Farmer’s Almanac, were an excellent choice;[1] not to question their other purposes as intellectual pamphlets. Till then, the human species used whatever they could, mostly hands, to corn cobs, snow, grass, even stones, to clean up after bowel movements. Without further wit, which is stretching it a bit, let’s start where it started.
Prehistoric Man (And Women)
A time when one placed their hands anywhere and everywhere, without the least worry of hygiene, since there was none, what was easier than a quick wipe with the side of the hand. Of course, with body odor akin to bull moose musk in heat [could also be describing a men’s locker room], the stench of continual use justified a quick trip to the nearest water supply. Scholars of prehistoric habits [now there’s a fortune 500 profession] concluded that often, when nature called, many did so in a stream or lake. Thereby killing two birds with one stone; accidental hygiene and fetor resolved – but no luck over the mephitis from a previous day’s dining on wooly mammoth. And speaking of stones, a precursor to those sly Ancient Greeks, rocks, not too large, were often used. Ouch! Hopefully selecting ones worn down by eons rolling along river bottoms.
Ancient Greeks & Pessoi
Sifting through pages of their instinctive memory of days roaming the prehistoric planes with spears and over-grown biker beards, the Greeks improved on using stones that functioned as primitive toilet paper. Philippe Charlier, Assistant Professor in Forensic Medicine at the Raymond Poincare University Hospital in Paris [a title longer than his point], gave proof of this found in a Greek proverb “Three stones are enough to wipe one’s arse.”. So too, ceramic artifacts first thought to be gaming pieces [no, not Mattel’s Flushin’ Frenzy], were linked to nature’s calling; the finding featured in the posh erudite British Medical Journal. These ceramic disks, pieces from broken and discarded pottery called ostraca, had sharp edges smoothed and rounded in the shape of an oval or circle. Known as pessoi, meaning pebbles, they ranged from one to four inches in diameter. Experts have recovered samples that include traces of feces. An ancient Greek wine cup featured a man wiping his bum with pessoi. Ancient Jewish practice of this same period referred to the use of small pebbles and broken pottery, similar to pessoi, often carried in a special bag.
French psychoanalyst Dominique Laporte’s 1978 text Historie de la Merde (History of Shit), explained how managing waste shaped modern identity, capitalism, and civilization, treating excrement as crucial to understanding society rather than just filth. Along these lines and of humorous interest, pessoi found at ancient Greek latrines were inscribed with names. Scholars believe they were a symbolic insult used to ostracize one’s enemies.
Roman Foricae
Rome, from 332 BCE onward, until the Huns closed the final chapter on the empire, appeared to be heading in the right direction with a stone and ceramic free method of wiping one’s butt. But scholars are not exactly sure how tersoriums were used by arse wipers. Referred to as hygiene sticks or sponges on a stick, tersoriums have been disputed by learned men and women; some claiming they were used to cleanse arses, others that the sponges tidied the toilet[2] area, like today’s toilet brushes.
Tersorium’s sponge sticks were stored in buckets of vinegar or salt water solutions. They were commonly used in Roman communal latrines called foricae.[3] These were large, often decorated, public facilities with long wooden benches along both walls that faced each other. The benches featured holes over sewer systems of running water that allowed the excrement waste to flow from the building. The spacing between holes allowed one to sit in comfort while conversing with neighbors. Besides sanitation functions, these foricae served as a social hub for conversation and business. Roman forts excavated along Hadrian’s Wall in northern England featured bath houses with foricae for the soldiers. Private home toilets were called latrinae or latrina, thus giving us the wordage latrine.
Though tersoriums were a step in the right direction for comfort and reducing stench, probably not hygiene. The communal tersorium was kept in the same bucket between cleansing multiple bottoms. It most likely had become a hotspot for breeding bacteria. But the Romans would have agreed, it beat their prehistoric ancestors use of the side of one’s hand. Especially if one chopped down on a leg of wild boar right after, as colloquial Americans so eloquently put it, ‘takin’ a dump.’
China: First to Use Toilet Paper
Two thousand years ago, hygiene sticks similar to tersoriums were common in China. According to a 2016 study in the Journal of Archaeological Science,[4] hygiene sticks, called bamboo slips, were of wood or bamboo wrapped in cloth. Japan got in on the act a bit later, eighth century, whereas people used another type of hygiene stick called a chuugi to clean both the outside and inside of the anus. But the real impact for derrieres the world over, among all of China’s other technical ‘firsts,’ such as gun powder and the printing press, they achieved the first recorded use of toilet paper. Scholars reference this as early as c. 589, but a more conclusive date was during the Tang dynasty (618-907). In 851, an Arab trader noted his far eastern clients were using paper as opposed to water or other means writing, “…they [Chinese] do not wash themselves with water when they have done their necessities; but they only wipe themselves with paper.”
During the Ming Dynasty, (1368–1644 AD), it was recorded in 1393 that an annual supply of 720,000 sheets of toilet paper (approximately 2 by 3 ft) were produced for the general use of the imperial court at the capital of Nanjing. From records of the Imperial Bureau of Supplies for that same year, it listed the Hongwu Emperor’s imperial family acquired 15,000 sheets of special soft-fabric toilet paper. Each sheet of toilet paper was also perfumed. Maybe a lost species of charming blue bears were discovered hanging about royal privy ruins in Nanjing. An industrious PMM[5] [aren’t they all] saw gold and shipped those cheery critters to America.
Middle Ages
Far eastern use of cannon and gun powder eventually exploded amidst western civilizations. But it would take nearly 600 years for sheets of toilet paper to catch on in Europe. Though sticks had been popular for cleaning the anus throughout ancient history, most regular folks in Medieval Europe continued to use an assortment of materials to wipe their bums. This included water, leaves, moss, dry grass, stones, sedge, hay, straw, animal furs, seashells, and of course inherited from prehistoric quick fixes, one’s hand. Similar to later use of paper, pieces of tapestry were also traced to wiping one’s butt.
By the 1400’s, wood pulp paper was beginning to show itself. However, unlike the soft ply, perfumed choices among Chinese wealthy, western toilet paper was rough with small splinters and wood fragments called chips. Early sixteenth century French Renaissance satirical novelist Francois Rabelais, wrote a famous poem entitled Gargantua and Pantagruel. It gave us one of the first mentions of toilet paper use in Europe: “Who his foul tail with paper wipes; Shall at his ballocks leave some chips.” Leaving not just chips, but in the mind of readers, the use of paper as ineffective.
Colonial America
By the 1700’s, the original thirteen colonies’ general population had among the highest standards of living in the world. But this did not necessarily include hygienic practices more common in Europe. From the landed gentry planters to the wilderness farmers, the widespread use of leaves, straw, dried out corn cobs, moss, and seashells for wiping was generally in use by all stations of society. Some of the wealthiest folks distinguished themselves by wiping with wool, lace, or hemp; in effect a pompous nose in the air also carried further south in the form of a tight arse. Still, most colonials cleansed themselves with a wide variety of at hand materials: rags, wood shavings, hay, sand, ferns, plant husks, frit skins,[6] snow, and of course water. Those settled along the fringes of wilderness often used their hands when defecating into streams and ponds. Of toilets; outside privies, outhouses, or military tombs were supplied with items to wipe. Indoors necessities included chamber pots or commodes that were emptied daily in streets, pits, or privies.
The rise of publishing by the 18th century provided a wealth of papered pamphlets and newspapers that found their way among toiletries. This was especially true by the 1760’s when both patriots and loyalists declared to one and all, multiple times, their reasons for rebellion or to remain within the King’s fold. This resulted in an explosion of unbound, circulated booklets that flooded the colonial homes, taverns, and coffee shops. So too, these leaflets were later scattered amidst outhouses and on bureaus and shelving in privies or aside chamber pots. Lord Chesterfield, in a letter to his son in 1747, spoke of a man who purchased a cheap edition of Horace. When the need arose, he would tear off a couple of pages, carry them to the privy, read them first, then, after a hard-felt wipe, dispose of them as a sacrifice to Cloacina; the Roman Goddess of sewers.[7]
As earlier referenced, by 1795, with the introduction of the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the popular publication was often found nailed to outhouse walls. This use became so common throughout the late 1700’s and into the 1800’s that by 1919, publications were sold with a pre-drilled hole in the upper corner for easier tearing. Much later, Hollywood got in on the action in a 1990 western period film, Dancing with Wolves. A scene featured soldiers relieving themselves amidst the grassy plains. One calls out for another to rip pages out of a journal to finish his necessary.
Birth of Modern Toilet Paper
The inventor attributed to the production of the modern commercial toilet paper in the United States was Joseph Gayetty. Gayetty’s Medicated aloe-infused paper, introduced in 1857, was still available in the 1920’s. It was originally sold in wrappers containing 500 sheets and later dispensed in simple boxes of flat sheets, watermarked on each sheet with the inventor’s name. Original advertisements used the tagline, “The greatest necessity of the age. Gayetty’s medicated paper for the water-closet.” But it proved to be anything but the greatest necessity of the age. The paper was hard, gritty, and full of harsh splinters or chips that caused skin irritations and rashes. That aside, Gayetty’s wiping wonder proved to be an instant sensation among the American populace; including the highest pillars of society and politics. The February 3, 1859 New York Daily Tribune reported that President James Buchanan and his cabinet were avid users of Gayetty’s Medicated Paper. However; it did not say where and when the executive branch enjoyed this marvel in modesty.
The first perforated toilet paper rolls and dispensaries were U. S. patented by Seth Wheeler of Albany, New York in 1871. The Albany Perforated Wrapping Paper Company’s models in the 1870’s featured a screw to secure the roll until it was used up. By 1889, Wheeler’s toilet rolls were in common use throughout the United States. But both Wheeler’s and Gayetty’s companies had major competitors who vied to improve and gain the public toilet paper market. The Scott Paper Company began advertising their version of the market in 1890. Unique to their take was the first insertion of cardboard tubes in the center of the rolls. The Northern Tissue Company began operations at Green Bay, Wisconsin in 1901. Yes, the cheese hat folks of Green Bay are also known for toilet paper. Though haven’t seen fans at Green Bay Packer games topped with toilet rolls…Yet. But like all paper produced in America, the product faced a long period of refinement. By the early 1900’s, it was still chock full of harsh materials and splinters. By the 1930’s, Northern Tissue finally and proudly informed folks that their paper was “splinter free!”
The widespread adoption of the flush toilet increased the use of toilet paper. Heavier newspapers, including pamphlets and pagers ripped from text books, were more prone to clog the trap that prevented sewer gases from escaping. One had to travel to England before finding softer, two-ply toilet rolls, introduced in Britain in 1942, by St Andrew Mills. Finally, Scott paper, one of the leaders in the United States’ toilet paper production, turned back history’s dusty pages. To China, some seven hundred years earlier, to produce soft, multi-ply sheets of perfumed paper for the nation’s thankful bottoms. Interesting tag line – a campaign for tubeless rolls was initiated by Kimberly Clark and Scott Paper after a 2014 study suggested 17 billion carboard tubes per year were thrown away; enough to annually fill the Empire State Building; twice over! The campaign generated interest, but did not meet financial goals and was abandoned by Scott in 2019,[8] though a few companies still market it.[9]
Bidet
Cannot leave the discussion of toilet paper without nodding to an ingenious addition to the bathroom (as Americans call it). This invention does away with paper entirely; sort of a modern-day version of our pioneer ancestors squatting in a river. Common in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East; behold the Biden, pronounced bih-Day (Francois Rabelais would have been proud of his French countrymen). Bidets are a porcelain fixture of similar design to the toilet bowl, but looking more like a low sink and often found beside the bowel. Necessary done, on pops over to sit or straddle the Bidet that uses a spray of water to cleanse the bottom. There’s even a Bidet Combo called, of course, a Smart Toilet. It combines both bowels into one by a built-in adjustable water sprayer – eat your heart out paper tottin’ cuddly bears. But this takes the Combo to new heights; a gentle warm air-drying system kicks in when done. No worries, the idea of an overzealous engineer combining an Xlerator was canned.
For Trivia Enthusiasts
Hand Shakes. Cultures rooted in ancient Greece and Rome, shake hands with the right, primarily as a sign for peace and trust, conveying sincerity, while showing the person offering the gesture is unarmed (often weapons are held in the right hand). But there’s also a religious twist that avoids left hand usage, especially in Hindu and Hebrew cultures, that even includes eating and passing items. The right hand is considered honorable and clean, whereas the left hand is traditionally though of as unclean for sanitary reasons, linked to personal hygiene.
The John and Loo. A simple answer for why heading to the John means the toilet. Englishman Sir John Harington (1560 – 1612) invented an early version of the flushing toilet. He called it Ajax, a humorous nod to the Greek hero, and a take on Jakes, a term bandied about since the Middle Ages for privies and latrines. John Harington grew up around royalty, his mother was a member of Queen Elizabeth’s Chamber. The poet turned inventor lived in a time of cultural flourish and intellectual awakening. And what better place than to be surrounded by royal luxury and privileges. Harington died at age 51 and his invention did not take off. Englanders would have to wait until the 18th century for the creation of the S-bend system. But the term Ajax for his invention, tied into Jakes common use for privies, over time became John, interchangeable with Jake or Jack. That was Harrington’s true legacy, his namesake for privies, especially four hundred years later amidst American slang.
As for the British loo for the toilet, there are as many suggestions as there are loos in London.[10] But the most popular comes from the French, ‘gardez l’eau’, meaning watch out for the water, shouted when emptying chamber pots, often out the front window and onto the street below. Guess we in the states Americanized it with “Look out Beloo.”
Games. Pessoi, used by Ancient Greeks and Romans to wipe their bottoms, were first thought of as gaming pieces. Who would know that thousands of years later, and a twist of fate, folks would once more connect the calling of nature to gaming. There is currently a multi-million-dollar market in novelty and gag games based on the toilet genre. What better way than to capitalize on a captive audience. We’ll mention a couple that use toilet paper, and a few that don’t, but can’t resist including:
- Novelty toilet paper can be purchased with games like crossword puzzles, Sudoku, or word searches printed directly on them. Even special writing implements are included. Good thing as wouldn’t want the person to find something else that might be readily handy.
- Toilet Trouble by Hasbro. A game where players take turns spinning a toilet paper roll and flushing the toilet a certain number of times, at risk of being sprayed with water. The Flushdown version is a head-to-head race to spin the roll the fastest to avoid getting sprayed.
- Brybelly Shoot the Poop. This talking toilet features a talking toilet character that utters silly sounds and phrases during gameplay. Boy, late night comedy hosts could have a field day with this one.
- Flushin’ Frenzy by Matel. Mentioned, earlier in the article, this game players have to plunge a toilet several times indicated by a die; if a plastic ‘poop’ flies out, they must be the first to catch it to earn tokens. Yuk!
- Don’t Step In It. Another one of Hasbro’s gems. While not involving an actual toilet, this game requires players to be blindfolded and avoid stepping in molded piles of clay-like poop on a mat. Wow! As the song goes, “Only in America.”
Before wiping the slate clean, how about some Irish pub wit? You probably heard this before. A man on a park bench glances at another beside him who’s sitting on a newspaper. He asks, “Are you reading that?” The man stands, turns the page, and sits back down and replies, “Yes.” Perhaps the Irish on on to something; after deciding toilet or not toilet, the question of what to use afterward is best left for our bums to decide.
You Tube Video from History Calling
If you would like to read more, or as an addition to your toilet’s fine reading, we recommend the following:
Of Similar Interest on Revolutionary War Journal
Reference
Clark, Daniel. “Roman Game Pieces are Really Old Toilet Paper.” Jan. 21, 2013 ABC New Network. https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/01/roman-game-pieces-really-old-toilet-paper
Lenz, Paul. “A History of…Toilet Paper.” July 12, 2024. Get Histories.
Morrison, Susan. Excrement in the Middle Ages; Sacred Filth and Chaucer’s Fecopoetics 2008: Palgrave Macmillan, London, UK.
Nash, Stephen E. “What Did Ancient Romans Do Without Toilet Paper?” April 3, 2018. Sapien.
Pitt, John. Porta “Potty History: Why Is a Toilet Called a John?” March 27th, 2024
Santora, Tara. “Here’s What People Used Before Toilet Paper Was Invented.” September 28, 2020.Science Alert
“The Very Absorbing History of Toilet Paper.” October 5, 2020. Rubenstein Supply Company.
Endnotes
[1] Ben Franklin began the successful Poor Richard’s Almanac that ran from 1732 to 1758. The Old Farmer’s Almanac was started by Robert B. Thomas in 1792. Franklin is honored on The Old Farmer’s Almanac cover as the “father of the modern almanac” for his witty and popular publication. Throughout the 19th century, The Old Farmer’s Almanac was popular in outhouses. So much, that when ordered from catalogues, it came with a hole punched through the pages in the upper corner, so it could hung from a nail in the latrine. The Old Farmer’s Almanac is published to this day – keep an eye out for it in camp outhouses.
[2] The word toilet originates from the French words toile – meaning cloth, and toilette little cloth or dressing table cloth. The Latin word lavare gave us the english lavatory.
[3] One would think that fornicate could come from foricae, but they have two different derivatives.
[4] Link to 2016 study of hygiene sticks in Journal of Archaeological Science https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352409X1630164X
[5] For those not in the advertising industry, which includes most of the country, PMM stands for Product Marketing Manager.
[6] What are frit skins you may ask. They are peels of fruit skins. In England, the use of frit alone often refers to politicians who are not brave enough to act, especially on moral or grounds of what is considered right. In America we call those politicians spineless; of current reference to the U. S. Congress.
[7] Christians use just one deity with a ton of saints to see to life’s daily needs, but the Romans had pretty much a God for everything. The God of sewers refers to Venus Cloacina. Ancient Rome honored her with shrines and coins for her role in cleansing the city’s waste and ensuring public health. Wonder if it paid off, and not just for the folks with the unenviable job of collecting the coins later.
[8] Interesting that Scott abandoned the tubeless product just at the beginning of Covid 19 and the toilet paper craze.
[9] Cushelle advertises their tubeless toilet paper as “No Tube, Just More Paper.”
[10] While in northern England some years back, I saw a sign over one rather ‘pristine’ loo: “Loo of the year award.” Don’t know if the award was for the town, county, or entire country. But figured it was worth a picture. Wish I hadn’t lost it, pre digital age.