Toilet paper

Toilet paper, lavatory paper or toilet tissue is a tissue paper product designed for the cleaning of the anus after defecation or the genitals after urination.

History

Records of human usage of toilet paper first appeared in China, during the 14th century.

Related Topics:
China - 14th century

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

Related Topics:
Joseph Cayetty - United States - 1857

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Before this invention, wealthy people used wool, lace or hemp for their ablutions, while less wealthy people used their hand, defecated into rivers, or cleaned themselves with various materials such as rags, wood shavings, leaves, grass, hay, stone, sand, moss, water, snow, maize husks, or seashells, depending upon the country and weather conditions or social customs. In Ancient Rome, a sponge was commonly used.

Related Topics:
Invention - Wool - Lace - Hemp - Leaves - Grass - Hay - Stone - Sand - Moss - Water - Snow - Maize - Seashell - Ancient Rome - Sponge

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In some parts of the world, the use of newspaper, or telephone directory pages were common. Old Farmer's Almanac was sold with a hole punched in the corner so it could be hung on a nail in the 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 Viper in the Fist, a Catholic family uses pages of the Catholic newspaper La Croix after cutting off the image of the Calvary.

Related Topics:
Newspaper - Sears - Hervé Bazin - Viper in the Fist - Catholic - La Croix - Calvary

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In monarchical Russia, 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.

Related Topics:
Russia - Tsar - Henry VIII of England

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The use of water to clean oneself is common in the Muslim countries, where people use their left hand to clean themselves, and their right hand for eating. In parts of Africa, the converse is true, and a right-handed handshake could be considered rude. The use of water in Muslim countries is due to the fact that Muslim sharia encourages washing the anus after defecation. Toilet paper is rarely encountered in household toilets in Muslim countries and a hose with a water sprayer or a bucket full of water and a jug is found instead. Water is widely used in Japan and India as well.

Related Topics:
Handshake - Sharia

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