For those of you locked in a heated debate with family, friends or roommates over the proper way to hang a roll of toilet paper in the bathroom, it’s time to officially resolve it. And it turns out, this should have been done 124 years ago.
According to a patent from 1891, the end of a roll should be on the outside while hung, so in the “over” position. The patent was made by New York businessman Seth Wheeler, founder of the Albany Perforated Wrapping Paper Company, who is also responsible for why we are able to tear off perfect squares of toilet paper. Here is a photo from the patent of the correct usage:
So there you have it. Case closed. If you are an advocate for the “under” position, you are wrong and should lower your head in shame. If you are not willing to accept defeat, then let me just show you one more thing. The same Twitter user who discovered the toilet paper patent has also discovered a second one from 1892:
@danfinlay @StartupLJackson I got this. A SECOND patent proves it once and for all pic.twitter.com/AqVFYedTri
— Owen Williams (@ow) March 18, 2015