The use of toilet paper dates back to sixth century China, though in most parts of the world, paper was a rare commodity until the 17th or 18th centuries. Before this, people used a variety of devices for the purpose. In ancient Rome, public toilets were equipped with a sponge on a stick, which sat in a bucket of brine...

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Yes, when I first started producing the UpBeet Gardener radio shows, my goal was, and still is, to introduce you to the many ways that plants enhance our lives. From coffee and medicines, to furniture and flowers. I mean, imagine a world without forests, roses, navel oranges, and uh huh, toilet paper.

Staying true to my original intent, this article is about toilet paper. The use of toilet paper dates back to sixth century China, though in most parts of the world, paper was a rare commodity until the 17th or 18th centuries. Before this, people used a variety of devices for the purpose.

In ancient Rome, public toilets were equipped with a sponge on a stick (oh, dear), which sat in a bucket of brine; the rich folks used wool. Cotton, wool, and even lace continued to be popular with the wealthy classes, but poorer people used whatever came to hand. Corn cobs were a favorite in colonial America.

The first toilet paper was unbleached manila hemp paper made in 1857 by the American Joseph Gayetty, whose name was watermarked on each sheet. As practical as it seemed, people still preferred to use torn-up newspapers and catalogs. In America, the Sears catalog was the most popular choice, as it was printed on absorbent paper until the 1930s. Gayetty’s paper came as a stack of individual sheets, but in the 1880s, the Scott brothers began selling toilet paper on a roll.

The rolls were originally sold in unmarked brown paper packaging. To improve sales, it was later marketed as a luxury item with the brand name Waldorf Tissue. And with that, it became a bathroom staple.

Thank goodness.

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