The toilet paper roll is only about 100 years old. Prior to that Americans were using corncobs, rags, newspapers, and pages from the sears catalog. Also, if you’re wondering why the farmer’s almanac traditionally has a hole punched in one corner, it’s to hang on a nail in the outhouse for the same reason.

Prior to indoor plumbing, outhouses were more sanitary than one might think. An ash bucket was kept nearby with a scoop and was used frequently to cover one’s business. This kept down down smell, bacteria, and flies.