Explore the history of the most important invention in the history of mankind - toilet paper

Toilet paper originated a long time ago in China, and then, after a long time, the rest of the world got to know it. It has become an inseparable part of the civilization in which we live.

It was first mentioned in China in 589 AD. In modern western countries, it came into wide use only in the second half of the 19th century.

More than 60 percent of people in the world today do not use toilet paper at all.

If we convert that percentage into the number of the world's population, it turns out that it is not used by more than four billion people. Many cannot afford it, so even today they reach for leaves or water.

Before the advent of toilet paper, people used various things to maintain personal hygiene. It was mainly leaves, grass, ferns, corn, fruit peels, shells, stones, sand, snow and water.

The rich Romans wiped themselves with a sponge attached to a stick that they kept in a bucket of salt water. Eventually they would refresh the crotch with rose water.

The Greeks preferred clay, shells, and sometimes they reached for coconut shells.

Wealthy Europeans practiced soaking their hands in luxurious fountains full of hot water.

Snow and moss were the most practical for the Eskimos, wool for the Vikings, and corn cobs for the Americans.

Throughout history, before toilet paper appeared in its present form, the rich wanted something finer for their skin, so they used wool, lace or hemp after going to the toilet.

In his work "Gargantua and Pantagruel", a satirical allegory about the life of two giants, Francois Rabelais, through the mouth of the protagonist, lists all possible things that are used to maintain lower back hygiene and comes to the conclusion that he is the best fluffy bird.

Toilet paper rolls were patented in 1891, and since then there has been a debate about how to properly hang them on the holder.

The average person uses a hundred rolls a year, which is about 20,000 ballots.

To ensure enough toilet paper for one person throughout his life, it is necessary to cut down 384 trees.

More than 83 million rolls are produced in the world every day.