Procurement teams often wonder what materials people relied on before the advent of modern toilet rolls—a history that spans corncobs, moss, and even newspapers. Tracing this progression offers insight into why certain formats and fiber choices dominate the market today. In the following seven milestones, we reveal how design innovation, strategic marketing, and shifting consumer preferences shaped the toilet paper industry you source from today.
1. Early Hygiene: Leaves, Stones, and Corncobs
Before paper became common, people relied on whatever materials were readily available—leaves, grass, smooth stones, seashells, or corncobs. These choices reflected local geography and resources: what suited rural America differed greatly from ancient Rome or China. The constant challenge was maintaining comfort and cleanliness. Rough materials often irritated the skin and spread bacteria, pushing societies toward safer, softer solutions that eventually inspired the development of modern toilet paper.
2. Purpose-Made Paper for Hygiene in Sixth-Century China
Historical accounts from imperial China in the sixth century record the earliest use of paper designed specifically for personal cleansing, reserved for royals and high-ranking officials. Made from soft, densely woven plant fibers, this paper signified both luxury and attention to hygiene. By separating personal care paper from other household use, early producers established material standards and production intent that foreshadowed the principles behind modern toilet paper manufacturing.
3. Joseph Gayetty’s Medicated Toilet Paper (1857)
When Joseph Gayetty introduced his medicated, aloe-infused flat sheets in 1857, he pioneered not only a new product but also a new way of discussing personal hygiene. In a market that avoided direct references to bathroom use, positioning the sheets as a health product made purchase decisions more comfortable for consumers. His innovation brought disposable paper hygiene to the United States and paved the way for wider household adoption, marking a key step toward modern toilet paper acceptance.
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4. Scott Paper Company and the Rolled, Perforated Format
When Scott Paper Company introduced rolled, perforated toilet paper in the 1890s, it transformed both how the product was used and how it was sold. The roll made dispensing quicker and cleaner, while perforation delivered consistent sheet portions that reduced waste. For retailers, standardized rolls simplified stocking and merchandising, enabling nationwide distribution. This combination of convenience, hygiene, and scalability shifted toilet paper from a specialty item into an everyday household staple.
5. Product Advancements: Splinter-Free and Two-Ply Rolls
For procurement teams prioritizing user comfort and consistent quality, Northern Tissue’s 1935 release of splinter-free paper marked a decisive improvement—removing a defect that discouraged repeat buyers. Just seven years later, St. Andrew’s Paper Mill introduced two-ply rolls, pairing enhanced softness with greater durability. Together, these innovations elevated consumer expectations and enabled brands to reposition toilet paper from a utilitarian item to a comfort-oriented essential, strengthening competitive advantage across both retail and institutional markets.
6. Toilet Paper Marketing: Overcoming the Social Taboo
Early toilet paper brands faced tough market conditions because speaking about bathroom habits was considered improper. To ease buyer hesitation, manufacturers marketed their products as health items, emphasizing soothing or “medicated” qualities that reframed the purchase as a wellness choice rather than a personal topic. Soft imagery and discreet packaging designs further reduced embarrassment, guiding consumers toward acceptance. These strategies transformed toilet paper from a self-conscious novelty into a household essential and set the stage for modern brand differentiation focused on comfort and care.
7. The Modern Era: Balancing Comfort with Sustainability
Modern toilet paper combines decades of refinements in softness, strength, and environmental responsibility. Premium multi-ply and quilted products from leading brands such as Kimberly-Clark and Procter & Gamble build customer loyalty through comfort, while moist tissue formats support improved hygiene standards. In parallel, manufacturers like Cascades advance recycled and bamboo-based alternatives to meet sustainability objectives. Today, procurement teams balance user preferences with system compatibility and long-term environmental goals to ensure sourcing strategies meet both market expectations and regulatory requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who invented toilet paper, and what was the first product like?
Joseph Gayetty introduced the first commercial toilet paper in 1857 — medicated, aloe-treated sheets sold as a health aid rather than a hygiene product. Each sheet carried his name, positioning the product as a medical necessity and easing consumers’ hesitation to discuss a private subject openly.
What did people use before paper-based products?
Before paper hygiene products existed, people relied on what was readily available — corncobs in rural America, moss or wool in Europe, and bamboo sticks or water in Asia. These solutions reflected geography and accessibility long before sanitation became a consumer concern.
When did toilet paper become a household essential?
Rolled toilet paper began mass production in 1879 under the Scott Paper Company. It only became a true household staple after early 20th-century plumbing improvements made soft, splinter-free options both safe for pipes and comfortable for users.
Was early toilet paper rough or uncomfortable?
Yes. Early rolls were coarse and sometimes contained splinters because they were made from unrefined wood pulp. The introduction of splinter-free paper in the mid-1930s marked a major quality shift, showing how user comfort began driving manufacturing innovation.
Why did people use the Sears catalog as toilet paper?
In rural America, the Sears catalog served as a free and convenient substitute before mass-produced rolls were common. Its widespread distribution and cost-effectiveness made it practical, but as indoor plumbing spread, perforated rolls replaced catalogs for hygiene and safety reasons.
Final Thoughts
From ancient China’s paper sheets to today’s quilted, multi-ply rolls, the seven milestones in toilet paper’s evolution trace a clear shift from practicality to comfort. Each breakthrough—from Gayetty’s medicated sheets to splinter-free production and moisture-enriched formats—was driven by consumer expectations and manufacturing innovation.
Understanding how social attitudes, materials, and machinery shaped this transformation helps procurement professionals anticipate what modern buyers prioritize: softness, strength, and sustainability. Reviewing manufacturer capabilities and customization options allows you to align specifications with market expectations while preserving margins and product integrity.
Whether you serve institutional clients or develop a consumer-facing brand, leveraging historical insight and verified vendor data strengthens every sourcing decision—making your product strategy both sharper and more competitive.
