Over the past few years I have collected a variety of
(interesting) facts about toilet paper. I should perhaps clarify that I did not
actively search for these facts, as that would be weird. Instead they merely
stuck to the inside of my head (and that’s not weird at all).
For example, soft tissues were not invented until 1936. They
were initially advertised ‘for gentlemens’
noses’. I assume this was because the strap line ‘Wipe you bum on this’ would
have upset pre-war sensibilities. Such was the luxury of toilet paper that it
was initially only sold at Harrods in London.
Up until 1957 you could have any colour you liked, as long
as it was white.
Prior to 1936 paper was simply regarded too precious to use
for sanitary purposes. The rich used linin sheets and these were washed and
recycled. The poor used leaves or newspaper (junk mail is apparently called ‘bumf’
because it was bum-fodder). You think your job is bad? Pity the poor soul who
had to wash the linin sheets.
There are some ‘facts’ that I find suspicious. For example,
the claim that American toilet paper is thicker and more luxurious than
European paper because ‘Americans are scrunchers,
whereas Europeans are folders’. The logic behind this statement feels questionable.
One can’t help but wonder how they did their research. Did they undertake a big
international survey asking joe-public how they wiped their bottom? I think
not. I could just as validly conclude that US toilet paper is thicker because Americans
prefer a little bit more luxury.
Or maybe they have sharper fingernails.
Anyway, aside from the paper thickness there was always one ‘fact’
that truly bugged me. Until now that is. This was the claim that we use on average 11.5
sheets a day. It just didn’t seem enough. Based on the amount we get through in
our house 11.5 rolls per day
would seem more accurate. I have begun to suspect that my children are taking
them from our home and selling them at university to supplement their income. A
little bit of me is proud of their entrepreneurial spirit.
Anyway, I have been on holiday this week and have been
reading the excellent ‘Future of Water’ by Steve Maxwell (with Scott Yates). I was kindly
sent a copy by Randy Cable at IXOM and I had dipped in and out over the past
few months. It has only been while on holiday that I have been able to properly
immerse myself in it and, much to the delight of my family, share the swathe interesting
facts that it contains.
With regards toilet paper there are two such facts. Firstly
that American toilet paper is mostly still made from virgin paper-pulp. European
paper is mostly (>90%) recycled. One can only assume that the US public
think recycled toilet paper means it is actually recycled toilet paper. Duhh. Secondly,
I have learnt that the average usage is around half a roll per head per day (based
on the number of rolls sold and the population of America). This fact makes me
want to weep, but it does at least resolve the ‘11.5 sheets per day’ dilemma
that had been annoying me. Finally I can let my mind rest.
By the way, I have a similar collection of fascinating facts
about sanitary towels. The inside of my head really is rather sticky…
Happy holidays,
Speak soon
Piers, (proudly a Scruncher, despite being European)
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