The History of Toilet Paper
In The History of Toilet Paper, presenter Ruth Goodman talks to a toilet historian to learn about the history of toilet paper. Learn how people cleaned themselves before toilet paper, and how advertisers have convinced us to want toilet paper. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Inside the Factory, a series that takes viewers behind the scenes in the factories that make our favorite products.
Lesson Express
Q: How did people clean themselves before toilet paper was invented?
A: Students may mention that people used corn cobs, newspapers, or a sponge on a stick.
Q: How did advertisers create a demand for toilet paper? How did they convince people they needed toilet paper?
A: Advertisers used fearmongering. They told people that the ink on newspaper could cause disease and they should use toilet paper instead.
Q: How has advertising toilet paper changed?
A: Toilet paper advertisers now do not talk about what we do with toilet paper but try to connect toilet paper with cleanliness and comfort.