The 1914 advertisement originates from Th. Thrue’s Bookshop in Aarhus.
Piss and paper!
Toilet paper in abundance
In the bookseller’s window, you can see an advertisement for the rather refined product of toilet paper for WC use. In the early twentieth century, booksellers sold all kinds of paper goods — including toilet paper.
Wiping practices
The Romans used a sponge on a stick to clean themselves after using the toilet. In Northern Europe, people have over time used moss, grass, leaves, or even their hands. In Denmark during the nineteenth century, newspaper was commonly used in most privies. For WC use, however, proper toilet paper was sold, which unlike newspaper was easily soluble in water.
The bookshop
