Joseph Gayetty, a New Yorker, is credited with inventing and first patenting toilet paper in 1857. He called his product "Medicated Paper for the Water-Closet."
The Need for Toilet Paper
Before the mass production of toilet paper, people used various materials for hygiene, some more comfortable than others. These included:
- Corncobs
- Seashells
- Rags
- Leaves
- Anything else easily accessible
By the 1800s, paper became increasingly available and more people were looking for more hygienic alternatives.
Joseph Gayetty's Invention
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Inventor | Joseph Gayetty |
| Year Introduced | 1857 |
| Product Name | Medicated Paper for the Water-Closet |
| Unique Feature | Gayetty's name was printed on each sheet |
| Previous materials | Corncobs, Seashells, and other readily available materials |
| Motivation | To provide a more hygienic and convenient alternative for personal hygiene. |
Gayetty's paper was a major improvement over previous materials, offering a smoother, more absorbent, and less abrasive option for hygiene. The fact that he printed his name on every sheet emphasized the quality and novelty of his product at the time.
