Wiping the Privates - Old School

[EarlJam]

So I'm sitting here working on a spreadsheet detailing the ad spending of various clients, when a thout occured to me. Back in the 1700s (or even before), what did humans use to, um, "clean up?" after going potty? For example, records show that before George Washington crossed the icy Potomac and dropped a surprise on the British and Hessians, he walked into an nearby outhouse and dropped some doody (hey, it was probably nerves).

So what did he wipe with? What did society as a whole wipe with back then? Did Franklin invent toilet paper?

I wanna know.

-EarlJam

[cl15876]

Very interesting question that yields some interesting results! After reading a bit on some of the techniques used, I started wondering when KY was invented? :shock:

[EarlJam]

Very interesting question that yields some interesting results! After reading a bit on some of the techniques used, I started wondering when KY was invented? :shock:

KY? Kentucky? I know it was destroyed in 1992 by Christian Laettner.

Just kidding. That was a pretty slick repsonse, so I thought I'd just glide one back at you. Ever have a Peanut Butter and KY Jelly sandwich? I'm in an odd mood.

-EarlJam

[Shammrog]

Interesting. My two guesses are 1. leaves, or 2. hygiene then not being what it is now (at least outside of France), nothing.

This also begs the question of - especially for guys - what do you do now to ensure *absolute* cleanliness? If my poop is quite firm, a wipe is more than enough, and even not always really even needed. But, there are times where the only way to feel really fresh is a shower.

I am thinking this is worse for guys due to the hair factor? Maybe not, though...

Sometimes in a private bathroom you can wet the tissue just a little bit. Otherswise, wet wipes can be a Godsend.

Discuss!

[devildeac]

Let's see...

No, next thread...

[CameronBornAndBred]

Let's see...

No, next thread...

LOL. I'm following devildeac.

[bjornolf]

http://nobodys-perfect.com/vtpm/Exhibit ... story.html

There you go. I knew about the leaves, furs, grasses, newspaper, left hand and the corncobs, but not most of the rest. Turns out our version of TP was invented in the 1800's.

I love the Sears catalog and the farmer's almanac ones.

[TillyGalore]

We are closing this thread as we have received complaints.

We have a lot of latitude on this board, more so than the other one (can never remember the letters we've adopted). That doesn't mean you, and I mean the global you, have to post every thought that pops in your mind.

Please keep this in mind when posting something that might be borderline offensive to others.

Thanks,
Tilly