Why toilet paper belongs to America

cnn ^ | July 7, 2009

[JoeProBono]

Since the dawn of time, people have found nifty ways to clean up after the bathroom act. The most common solution was simply to grab what was at hand: coconuts, shells, snow, moss, hay, leaves, grass, corncobs, sheep's wool -- and, later, thanks to the printing press -- newspapers, magazines, and pages of books.

The ancient Greeks used clay and stone; the Romans, sponges and salt water. But the idea of a commercial product designed solely to wipe one's bum? That started about 150 years ago, right here in the U.S.A.

In less than a century, Uncle Sam's marketing genius turned something disposable into something indispensable.

Toilet paper gets on a roll The first products designed specifically to wipe one's nethers were aloe-infused sheets of manila hemp dispensed from Kleenex-like boxes.

They were invented in 1857 by a New York entrepreneur named Joseph Gayetty, who claimed his sheets prevented hemorrhoids. Gayetty was so proud of his therapeutic bathroom paper that he had his name printed on each sheet. But his success was limited.

Americans soon grew accustomed to wiping with the Sears Roebuck catalog, and they saw no need to spend money on something that came in the mail for free.

Toilet paper took its next leap forward in 1890, when two brothers named Clarence and E. Irvin Scott popularized the concept of toilet paper on a roll. The Scotts' brand became more successful than Gayetty's medicated wipes, in part because they built a steady trade selling toilet paper to hotels and drugstores.

[JoeProBono]

[Lockbar]

I always liked it in the excellent WW2 movie “Battleground” when one of the American soldiers picks up a bunch of Nazi surrender leaflets and walks into the woods.

[Dick Bachert]

And before I’m accused of simply flogging the problem, the solution is to RE-ELECT NOBODY! Before you say “My guy’s doing a SWELL job,” check him out at http://www.gradegov.com/

[VR-21]

"Why toilet paper belongs to America"

I hear you can even get the Constitution in 2-ply now.

[ChocChipCookie]

If you’re looking to stock up on TP, and who isn’t??, restaurant supply companies sell it in large quantities. Not all of these companies are open to the public, but some are, and if you have a business license, that should qualify you to make purchases at any of them.

TP is one of my favorite blog topics. :o/

[KTM rider]

AKA: Mountain Money

AKA: Obama's Constitution

AKA: Federal Reserve Notes

[JoeProBono]

[Retired Greyhound]

9 out of 10 times my bathroom visits are in the AM, so a shower immediately follows.

Ergo, my TP costs are modest.

[TruthHound]

“...newspapers, magazines...” Stimulus bills, cap & tax legislation, socialized medicine...

[Billthedrill]

Dishwasher-safe! (Top rack only).

[Proud2BeRight]

There is still some value to the NY Times, Newsweak, and Obama’s books.

[SolidWood]

Gayetty, who claimed his sheets prevented hemorrhoids. Gayetty was so proud of his therapeutic bathroom paper that he had his name printed on each sheet. But his success was limited.

With that name he was lucky to have lived in the 19th century.

[JoeProBono]

[Gator113]

Thank you for those details. LOL

Now, do you eat breakfast before........ or after you shower?

Sorry, I just couldn’t help myself.

[JoeProBono]

[Anima Mundi]

Then you might like this:

http://www.origami-resource-center.com/toilet-paper-origami.html

(toilet paper origami)

[JoeProBono]

[ChocChipCookie]

There IS no debate. Choice B is the only choice.

[Billthedrill]

B only, ever. A is for commies. Are you trying to start a war here?

[vox_freedom]

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