Toilet on paper – Seth Wheeler

Context

Which way should you hang a roll of toilet paper? No, this question is not a matter of personal preference! The official answer comes from the inventor of the concept himself, Seth Wheeler. In June 1891, he filed a patent for toilet paper in roll format. And the accompanying drawings leave no room for doubt.

An innovation drawn out

The meticulous drawings accompanying the patent application demonstrate that the invention was designed with hygiene and comfort in mind from the very beginning. From the perforated lines for easy tearing, to the cardboard roller in the centre for rotating it, and the recommended direction (last sheet on top to minimise contact with the wall), it was all there. It’s a simple invention that hasn’t been updated in over 130 years, and has played an essential role in our daily lives for just as long.

Drawings are often at the heart of the patenting process: they highlight the added value of an invention, distinguish it from what exists elsewhere, and explain its technical operation in a few lines. Just imagine an innovative watch movement without a picture to back it up! And really, do we know what a roll of toilet paper would look like today if it had never been drawn?