Rolling Out the Celebration: National Toilet Paper Day
From its modest beginnings to its status as a bathroom staple, toilet paper has become a vital part of everyone’s daily lives and hygiene routines
Today paper industry celebrates National Toilet Paper Day, an annual event on August 26th that honors one of life’s most essential yet often overlooked household items and commemorate the first time toilet paper was sold on a roll in the United States. From its modest beginnings to its status as a bathroom staple, toilet paper has become a vital part of everyone’s daily lives and hygiene routines.
THE JOURNEY OF TOILET PAPER
The history of toilet paper spans centuries, with ancient civilizations using materials like leaves, moss, and even seashells for personal hygiene. The first commercially available toilet paper was introduced by Joseph Gayetty in 1857 in the United States. However, it wasn’t until the 1890s, thanks to the innovations of the Scott Paper Company, that perforated rolls became standard.
Throughout the 20th century, toilet paper evolved, offering softer, more absorbent options and even colored varieties in the 1960s. Today, it’s a multi-billion-dollar industry with countless brands and styles catering to every preference and budget.
CURIOSITIES ABOUT TOILET PAPER
- The average person uses about 100 rolls of toilet paper per year.
- The United States is the world’s largest consumer of toilet paper, accounting for nearly 20% of global usage.
- In 1973, a joke by Johnny Carson about a toilet paper shortage caused a nationwide panic and actual shortages.
- Beyond hygiene, toilet paper has been used in art, pranks, and even as camouflage by the U.S. military during Desert Storm.
THE IMPORTANCE OF TOILET PAPER
Toilet paper plays a crucial role in maintaining hygiene and preventing disease. In many parts of the world, access to this basic necessity is still limited, underscoring the importance of global efforts to improve sanitation and quality of life.
