How was toilet paper invented? episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 21, 2026 · 12 MIN

How was toilet paper invented?

from History for Kids / History's Not Boring: The Kids History Podcast · host SCL

Ew! Aah! Gross! Get ready for the stinkiest, silliest history lesson EVER! Before soft, fluffy toilet paper, what did people use? Think old leaves, bumpy corn cobs, and even sharp seashells! Yikes! Join Mira and Finn as they travel back to 600 AD China, where paper was first used for wiping—wow! Then, find out how an inventor named Joseph Gayetty sold the very FIRST modern toilet paper in America in 1857! Did you know old Sears catalogs sometimes ended up hanging in outhouses? Discover the hilarious and surprisingly splintery journey to today's bathroom routine! Don't miss this totally fascinating (and slightly funny) look at a topic you use every single day!

Ew! Aah! Gross! Get ready for the stinkiest, silliest history lesson EVER! Before soft, fluffy toilet paper, what did people use? Think old leaves, bumpy corn cobs, and even sharp seashells! Yikes! Join Mira and Finn as they travel back to 600 AD China, where paper was first used for wiping—wow! Then, find out how an inventor named Joseph Gayetty sold the very FIRST modern toilet paper in America in 1857! Did you know old Sears catalogs sometimes ended up hanging in outhouses? Discover the hi...

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How was toilet paper invented?

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How long is this episode of History for Kids / History's Not Boring: The Kids History Podcast?

This episode is 12 minutes long.

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This episode was published on March 21, 2026.

What is this episode about?

Ew! Aah! Gross! Get ready for the stinkiest, silliest history lesson EVER! Before soft, fluffy toilet paper, what did people use? Think old leaves, bumpy corn cobs, and even sharp seashells! Yikes! Join Mira and Finn as they travel back to 600 AD...

Is there a transcript available for this episode?

Yes, a full transcript is available for this episode. You can read the complete transcript on the episode page.

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