Toilet paper is an essential item in our everyday lives. It provides an important service in terms of hygiene and sanitation, while also helping to reduce the spread of germs. While some may take toilet paper for granted, the invention of this convenient product has a surprisingly interesting history behind it. The first use of toilet paper is believed to have happened in China over 1,300 years ago. According to archaeological excavations, the Chinese were the first to use a combination of paper, bamboo sticks, and stones as a makeshift form of toilet paper. In the 14th century, they were even manufacturing paper specifically for toilet use. In the United States, toilet paper wasn’t widely used until the mid-1800s. By 1857, whaling ship captain, Joseph Gayetty, had developed a toilet paper product made from aloe and called it “The greatest necessity of the age!” By the start of the 20th century, toilet paper products like we know them today had become widely used in Europe and North America. Today, toilet paper remains a staple item in any bathroom, remaining an important part of personal hygiene and comfort for millions of people around the world. Its long history is a testament to its importance and usefulness, and speaks to the creative ingenuity of our ancestors in finding solutions to the needs of everyday life.