You’re sitting there. It’s a morning routine. You reach for that soft, quilted roll without a second thought. But have you ever actually stopped to wonder where was toilet paper invented? Most people assume it’s a relatively modern Western luxury, like the lightbulb or the car. They’re wrong.
It wasn't a Victorian inventor in a top hat. It wasn't a 1950s chemical engineer.
The truth is much older. And way more interesting.
If we're talking about the very first time humans decided that using a leaf or a smooth rock just wasn't cutting it anymore, we have to look toward Medieval China. While the rest of the world was basically using whatever was within arm's reach—moss, seashells, or even just water—the Chinese were already centuries ahead of the curve.
The Secret Origins in Imperial China
China had paper long before anyone else. Ts'ai Lun is credited with inventing the papermaking process around 105 AD. But it took a few more centuries for someone to realize this writing material had... other applications.
By the 6th century, people in China were already using paper for hygiene. We know this because of a scholar named Yan Zhitui. In 589 AD, he wrote something that feels strangely relatable today. He basically said that he wouldn't dare use paper that had prestigious philosophy or names of sages written on it for "toilet purposes."
Think about that.
The first recorded mention of toilet paper is a guy complaining about the ethics of what he’s wiping with.
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By the time the Yuan Dynasty rolled around in the 1300s, this wasn't just a DIY hack. It was an industry. Records from 1393 show that the Chinese Imperial court was ordering mass quantities of the stuff. We are talking about 720,000 sheets of paper for the general court in Nanjing.
But wait. It gets better.
The Emperor’s family had special requirements. They didn't just want paper; they wanted luxury. They ordered 15,000 sheets that were specifically softened and—get this—perfumed. So, while European royalty was likely using wool or linen rags (if they were lucky), the Hongwu Emperor was living in the future with scented, custom-made bathroom tissue.
What the Rest of the World Was Doing Instead
Honestly, the "pre-toilet paper" era was a nightmare of trial and error. You've probably heard of the xylospongium. It’s a fancy Latin word for a sponge on a stick. In Ancient Rome, public latrines had these sponges sitting in a bucket of salt water or vinegar. You’d use it, rinse it, and leave it for the next person.
Yeah. Not exactly hygienic.
In other parts of the world, geography dictated the "tool."
- Coastal cultures leaned heavily on mussel shells or coconut husks. Imagine that for a second.
- Desert dwellers used sand or smooth stones.
- Farmers used corn cobs or hay.
In colonial America, the Sears Roebuck catalog became the unofficial MVP of the outhouse. People would hang the catalog on a nail. You’d read a page, then use a page. It was efficient. When the company switched to glossy paper in the 1930s, people actually complained because glossy paper... well, it doesn't "grip" very well.
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The Move to the Modern Roll
So, if China is the answer to where was toilet paper invented in its earliest form, why do we associate it so much with the West?
Because of commercialization.
In 1857, a guy named Joseph Gayetty started selling "Gayetty’s Medicated Paper for the Water-Closet" in the United States. It didn't come on a roll. It was a box of loose sheets, infused with aloe. Gayetty was so proud of it that he had his name watermarked on every single sheet. He marketed it as a medical product to prevent hemorrhoids.
It was a total flop.
People didn't want to pay for something they could get for free from the local newspaper or a catalog. It took another few decades for the idea to really stick.
The Scott Paper Company, started by brothers Clarence and Edward Scott, finally figured out the marketing. In 1890, they started selling perforated rolls. But here’s the kicker: they were embarrassed by the product. At the time, talking about bodily functions was so taboo that they didn't even put the "Scott" name on the packaging. They sold it through private dealers who used their own branding.
It wasn't until the early 1900s that "Northern" brand (now Quilted Northern) started advertising "splinter-free" toilet paper.
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Take a second to process that.
Until the 1930s, getting a splinter from your toilet paper was a legitimate, documented risk. We really do live in the golden age of hygiene.
Why This History Matters for You Today
Understanding the timeline of where toilet paper originated helps put our modern supply chain into perspective. We saw it in 2020—the world stops when the rolls run out. But the evolution from scented Imperial sheets to Gayetty’s medicated pads to the 3-ply ultra-soft stuff we have now is a testament to human comfort.
If you're looking to upgrade your own bathroom experience based on this history, here are a few actionable takeaways:
1. Consider the "Bidet Bridge"
The history of hygiene shows that water was the primary method for most of human history (and still is in much of the world). Adding a bidet attachment can reduce your reliance on paper, effectively blending the Roman water method with modern tech.
2. Audit Your Paper Quality
We’ve come a long way from corn cobs. If you’re still buying the cheapest 1-ply, you’re basically living in the 1890s before the "splinter-free" revolution. Look for FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council) products to ensure the paper you use isn't contributing to old-growth deforestation.
3. Bamboo is the New Frontier
Just as the Chinese used what was local and sustainable (mulberry bark and hemp), bamboo is the modern answer. It grows faster than trees and requires fewer chemicals to turn into soft pulp. It’s the closest thing we have to the original spirit of the invention—effective, accessible, and renewable.
The story of the toilet roll is really just the story of humans trying to be a little bit more comfortable in their own skin. From the Ming Dynasty to the local grocery store aisle, it's been a long, weird, and occasionally splinter-filled journey.
Primary Sources and Further Reading:
- Yan Zhitui, "Family Instructions of the Yan Clan" (Admonitions on Paper).
- The Scott Paper Company Historical Archives.
- Needham, Joseph (1986). "Science and Civilization in China: Volume 5."