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 Always
looking for an idea for my columns I was fascinated the other day to
realize that in the 1960’s there was an oil filter using toilet
paper. The brand of toilet paper made a difference and Scot was the
trademark of choice. I tried to get a good explanation of said
filter from the internet, but there are so very many opinions I will
let you Google and decide for yourself if it’s a good or bad option.
Yes. You can still purchase them today. eBay has one for $259.95.
They are also offered on Amazon. It was Frantz Miracle Oil Filter.
They boast, “The system famously uses a standard roll of toilet
paper as its core filter element, which traps microscopic wear
metals, dirt and up to six ounces of water without breaking down in
oil.” The internet “thinks” they are still made in Idaho today. They
are now all stainless steel, and cost around $165.00. Who knew?
So, thus aroused my curiosity of what else is wonderful about toilet
paper. The below comes from Thinkstock:
“The first recorded use of toilet paper was in 6th Century China. By
the 14th Century, the Chinese government was mass-producing it.
Packaged toilet paper wasn’t sold in the United States until 1857.
Global toilet paper demand uses nearly 30,000 trees every day.
That’s about 10 million trees a year. It wasn’t until 1935 that a
manufacturer was able to promise “Splinter-Free Toilet Paper”.
Americans use an average of 8.6 sheets of toilet paper per trip to
the bathroom. The average roll has 333 sheets. Historically, what
you use to wipe depended on your income level. 70-75% of the world
doesn’t use toilet paper because it is too expensive or there is not
sufficient plumbing. There is a contest sponsored by Charmin to
design and make wedding dresses out of toilet paper. The winner gets
$2,000.00. The most expensive toilet paper in the world is from
Portuguese brand Renova. Renova is three-ply and costs $3.00 per
roll and comes in several colors including black, red, blue and
green. Beyonce’ uses only red Renova toilet paper while Kris Jenner
uses only the black Renova toilet paper.”
“Everything is funny as long as it’s happening to somebody
else…unless they run out of toilet paper.” Will Rogers
“Toilet paper is not just a necessity; it’s a comfort.” Unknown
“Toilet paper may be one of the most underrated inventions of all
time.” Anonymous
I cannot write this without the all-important question of the
‘correct’ way to hang a toilet paper roll. Upworthy says, “Health
experts recommend hanging toile paper rolls ‘over’ to minimize
contact between people and surfaces, reducing the spread of germs.
Humans have debated things large and small over the millennia, from
democracy to breastfeeding in public to how often people ought to
wash their sheets. But perhaps the most silly-yet-surprisingly
heated household debate is the one in which we argue over which way
to hang the toilet paper roll. Grabbing the end of the toilet paper
when it’s hung ‘over’ means you only touch the part of the toilet
paper you’re going to use. When it’s ‘under’, you sometimes have to
fish for it or scrape our fingers on the wall in order to grab the
loose end. Immediately…...go forth, now that with information as you
will, and try to make peace with your over vs. under rivals.”
[to top of second column] |
In my own little corner of the world, I am so thrilled if someone
puts on a fresh roll of toilet paper, I have little concern of over
or under. It is just a true blessing to have it on the holder.
How many of you have been in someone’s bathroom and put on a fresh
role? Have you pondered the over/under problem? Have you taken off
the empty roll to only have the goofy contraption spring across the
room? Do you hold your breath and cringe as you wonder if everyone
on the other side of the door has heard the ruckus? Worse yet……the
dang thing flies into the waste can…. the full waste can…...and you
have to dig through trash to find it? Shudder! It’s like you can’t
wash your hands enough. I’ve literally had to grovel and admit to my
host that I have lost the center roll of their toilet paper holder.
They instantly run in to assist in finding their beloved holder
paraphernalia. How embarrassing!
Dave Barry is quoted as saying, “European toilet paper is made from
the same material that Americans use for roofing, which is why
Europeans tend to remain standing throughout soccer matches.”
Winston Churchill’s complaint about the USA, “toilet paper too thin,
newspapers too fat.”
For those of you who don’t have enough to worry your pretty little
heads about and are concerned with the deforestation because of
toilet paper there are other venues out there. Virgin wood pulp from
sustainably managed forests and is soft/highly absorbent. Sounds
good to me. Recycled paper is eco-friendly and cost-effective,
though slightly rougher and less absorbent. Ouch! Bamboo toilet
paper…... extremely renewable/biodegradable/compostable but higher
cost and longer transport distances. Here we go…..Cornstalks!!!!! An
innovative, plant-based alternative using agricultural waste….
cornstalks left after harvest…to create biodegradable toilet paper
pulp. It would lower environmental impact and promote circular
economy in farming. The problem is it’s in experimental production
making processing technology unscalable. Plus, it may compete with
animal feed or soil fortification uses. Heavy sigh.
Wikipedia, “Toilet Papering or TP-ing houses is the act of covering
an object such as a tree, house or another structure with toilet
paper. Toilet papering can be an initiation, a practical joke, or an
act of revenge. It is common in the USA and frequently takes place
on or after the completion of school events such as graduation or
football games.”
Can’t come up with a Halloween costume? Use toilet paper and wrap
your kiddo up as a mummy. Cheap, fun, and always a hit.
L. Maxine McQueen
may be contacted at
maxmac.1@juno.com
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