Bum Fodder: An Absorbing History of Toilet Paper

Unrolling the many mysteries of toilet paper, an essential part of everyday life yet barely thought about and rarely discussed, this book looks at how it was invented by the Chinese and turned into a multi-billion dollar industry by the United States. From its origins in Medieval China to the invention of the hi-tech Washlet, a combined cleansing and drying system that removes the need for paper altogether—this fascinating read discusses the origin of the toilet paper roll, how our ancestors coped without it, who came up with the crazy idea of using a dog to promote a personal hygiene product, what a submarine crew does when it runs out of paper, and the ultimate answer to the challenge: is it possible to fold a sheet of toilet paper in half more than seven times? The ultimate bathroom book, this absorbing look at the humble toilet-roll blends detailed, factual history with humor on one of man’s most important commodities, a product that is often taken for granted, but difficult to do without.

Richard Smyth is a writer and cartoonist whose work has appeared in numerous magazines. He was a finalist on the BBC television quiz show Mastermind.