What Is the Origin of the Paper Towel?
Paper towels are an item found in almost every household. They are commonly used to replace cloth towels and reduce germs. The popularity of paper towels sky rocketed after their creation in the early 1930s. Does this Spark an idea?
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Inventor
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The paper towel was invented by Arthur Scott. He was the co-founder of a paper product company in Pennsylvania.
Mishaps
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The creation of paper towels was due to a mishap. The company received a train full of paper that had been rolled too thick to be used for toilet paper.
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Significance
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Arthur Scott decided to use the bad toilet paper to create what he called, "Sani -Towels," an idea he got from a school teacher who used soft paper to help contain cold germs.
Introduction
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According to Scott Paper Products, Scott's sani-towels were introduced in 1931 (see Resources). The paper towels were 13 inches wide and 18 inches long.
Effects
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The paper towels were advertised to be used by one person and thrown away. This caused many states to outlaw the use of cloth towels to help contain germs.
Fact
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Scott Paper Products states that in 1939 it was the largest seller of paper products. It also claims to have created the first pastel-colored tissue paper (see Resources).
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Resources
- Photo Credit Wikimedia Commons
