99% Invisible Wipe Out
Apr 7, 2020
Stephanie Joyce, a sharp contributor known for her investigative storytelling, dives into the fascinating history of toilet paper and its surprising marketing evolution. She discusses the chaos and panic behind recent shortages, illustrating how dependence on this seemingly essential item isn't as ingrained as we think. Joyce also highlights alternatives to toilet paper globally, and the daunting challenges flushable wipes pose to wastewater systems. This enlightening conversation rethinks personal hygiene and the quirks of toilet culture with humor and insight.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Toilet Paper Panic
- Stephanie Joyce witnessed extreme lengths people took to buy toilet paper.
- One woman even had her daughter urinate out of the car door while waiting in line.
Marketing Genius
- Toilet paper's widespread use is largely due to clever marketing, not necessity.
- It transitioned from a luxury item to an essential through targeted campaigns.
Pre-Toilet Paper Hygiene
- Historically, people used readily available materials like rocks, shells, moss, or water for hygiene.
- One method involved a shared bucket of water and shells, a practice now considered unsanitary.
