All wrapped up: The origin of toilet paper

You were warned.

I mentioned in my last column I would be writing about the origins of toilet paper.

It was kind of a goof—but then I thought, “what the hey?”

When I looked up information on the subject I found reams of material on this a-commode-ating accessory.

A Crappy History

Once upon a time mankind cleaned their backsides with whatever was at hand (including their hand).

Leaves, shards of pottery, hay, discarded sheep’s wool, grass, snow, tundra moss, corn cobs, husks, fruit peels, sponges and sand are among the many items used before toilet paper rolled into our hearts.

You j...