Toilet Paper Timeline

Thousands of years ago people used different materials depending upon the country, weather conditions, social status, customs, etc.
In the 2nd century BC Chinese invented wrapping and padding material known as paper which they used like toilet paper too.
In the early 2nd century CE, the first papermaking process was developed in China.
In the 6th century CE, the first documented use of toilet paper in human history, in early medieval China

In 1391, the first modern toilet paper was made for the needs of the Chinese Emperor family. This toilet paper was even perfumed.
In the late 15th century, paper became widely available, so newspaper was a popular choice of toilet paper.
In the late 19th century, mass manufacturing of modern toilet paper began.
In 1857, Joseph C. Gayetty created the first commercially packaged toilet paper. This first factory made toilet paper was medicated with aloe and Joseph Gayetty printed his name on every sheet.

In 1871, Zeth Wheeler patents rolled and perforated toilet paper.
In 1872, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, the world's largest tissue maker was founded.
In 1877, Albany Perforated Wrapping Paper Company was founded by Zeth Wheeler.
In 1879, Thomas Seymour, Edward Irvin and Clarence Wood Scott founded the Scott Paper Company and made the first toilet paper sold in rolls.
In 1879, Walter Alcock created toilet paper on a roll, and used the perforated toilet roll instead of the common flat sheets.
In 1880, the British Perforated Paper Company began selling toilet paper in boxes of individual squares.
In 1885, Oliver Hewlett Hicks patented package of toilet paper and the manufacturing process.
In 1890, the Scott Paper Company made its Waldorf brand toilet paper in rolls.
In 1897, Wheelers Company began selling and marketing standard perforated toilet paper on a roll.
In 1907, a great idea of Philadelphia's school teacher and Arthur Scott experimentation led to the discovery of paper towels.

In 1921, Waldorf brand (by Scott Paper Company) represented 64% of Scott's total case sales and this company became the leading toilet paper company in the world.
In 1928, German, Hans Klenk become the first toilet paper rolls seller in Europe.
In 1935, splinter free toilet paper was invented by Northern Tissue.
In 1942, St. Andrew's Paper Mill in England began selling the first two-ply toilet paper.
In 1943, novelty toilet paper was printed with images of Hitler.
In 1973, America experienced first toilet paper shortage after one of Johnny Carson’s (America’s most loved comedian) jokes, "You know what's disappearing from the supermarket shelves? Toilet paper. There's an acute shortage of toilet paper in the United States." People actually believed him and bought as much toilet paper as they could.

In 1990, in the United Kingdom, moist toilet paper was first introduced by Andrex (old St. Andrew's Paper Mill, today it is owned by American company Kimberly Clark).
In 2001, in United States, moist toilet paper was first introduced by Kimberly-Clark.
Today the manufacture of toilet paper is a large industry. Toilet papers are available in several types of paper, decorations, textures and a variety of colors...