Toilet paper is one of those daily essentials we often take for granted—until we run out of it. Known around the world by names like loo roll, bathroom tissue, or TP, it’s hard to imagine life without it. But who really invented toilet paper? And how did it become such a standard part of modern hygiene?
The earliest known use of toilet paper dates back to 2nd century BC in China. However, it wasn’t originally created for hygiene—it was used for padding and wrapping.
In 589 AD, Chinese scholar Yan Zhitui mentioned using paper for cleaning after defecation.
By 851 AD, a Muslim traveler observed that Chinese people used paper instead of water, a unique and innovative practice for the time.
During the Yuan Dynasty, it’s recorded that:
Over 10 million packages of toilet paper were produced annually.
Each package contained 1,000–10,000 sheets.
The practice grew even more in the Ming Dynasty, where:
More than 700,000 sheets were manufactured for the imperial court.
Sheets were even perfumed for the royal family.
✅ Conclusion: China was the first known culture to develop and use toilet paper on a wide scale.
Fast forward to the 19th century…
Gayetty introduced the first commercial toilet paper in the U.S.
His product was sold in flat sheets, each watermarked with his name.
Marketed as “The greatest necessity of the age.”
But it wasn’t until the 1920s that toilet paper became widely available in roll form.
Patented the perforated roll design.
Also patented dispensers for rolled paper.
His designs helped make toilet paper in roll form the global standard.
✅ Conclusion: While Gayetty commercialized toilet paper, it was Seth Wheeler who pioneered the format we use today.
Toilet paper is specifically designed to:
Be soft and gentle on the skin.
Dissolve quickly in water to prevent clogging.
Break down in septic tanks and plumbing systems.
This is what sets it apart from facial tissue or paper towels, which do not decompose as easily and can damage plumbing.
Ancient Chinese people are credited with inventing toilet paper as early as 2nd century BC, and using it widely by 6th century AD.
Joseph Gayetty introduced commercial toilet paper in 1857, while Seth Wheeler patented the rolled version and its dispensers.
It is designed with shorter fibers that break down easily in water, making it safe for plumbing and septic systems.
Loo roll, TP, bathroom tissue, toilet tissue, dunny paper, and toilet roll.
Toilet paper only became widely used in the 20th century, especially after improvements in sewage and plumbing systems.