Interesting facts about toilet paper, paper towels and napkins

Toilet paper, paper towels, and napkins have become common items in everyday life. However, it wasn’t always this way – a few centuries ago, mankind had no concept of these paper products.

Interesting facts about toilet paper

The first toilet paper was invented in China in the 6th century AD. However, it became widely used only in the 14th century when it was available only to the emperor and his family.

The transition to more widespread use of toilet paper occurred in the mid-19th century in the United States when Joseph Gayetty introduced his product to the market in 1857. This innovation was made from soft paper, and each sheet had a watermark of the manufacturer. An interesting fact about the size of a roll of toilet paper is that it usually contains 500 or 1000 sheets. However, manufacturers often experiment with roll sizes to differentiate themselves from their competitors. For example, in 2011, Charmin released an “XXL roll” that consisted of 1.5 million sheets! This mega-roll was created specifically for promotional purposes and became a sensation in the world of toilet paper.

Modern toilet paper has undergone significant changes compared to its early prototypes. It is available in different versions: from single-ply to three-ply, with the addition of aroma, added scents, moisturizers, and even different colors.

Paper towels: history and applications

The history of paper towels coincidentally began in 1907 in the United States. Arthur Scott, the employer of the paper mill, received too large rolls of paper that were inconvenient to use. He decided to cut them into separate pieces and sell them as “kitchen towels”. Thus, he not only saved his business but also created a new product that was a huge success among consumers.

In the modern world, paper towels play a crucial role, especially from a hygiene perspective. They are not only convenient for use at home or in the workplace but also help maintain hygiene in public places like restaurants, schools, airports, and more.

Despite the proliferation of electric hand dryers, studies show that paper towels are better at preventing the spread of bacteria. They absorb moisture well and are disposable, which reduces the possibility of transferring bacteria to subsequent users.

Napkins: from simplicity to elegance

The history of napkins begins in the ancient Roman Empire. However, the first napkins were quite different from the ones we use today. They were large pieces of fabric used for wiping hands during meals.

Modern napkins appeared only in the 19th century. Initially, they were used only in wealthy families, but in the early 20th century, mass production of napkins for general use began. Today, paper napkins are an integral part of table setting. They not only emphasize elegance and style but also help maintain cleanliness during meals.

But napkins are used not only for table setting. They are also used in various other fields, including the hotel industry, restaurants, aviation, and many more.

In the world of paper products, napkins are one of the most diverse items. They can come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, and can also be printed with different patterns or logos.