Gunpowder Toilet Paper

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c. 850 ad

Ninth-century Chinese alchemists in search of the “Elixir of Life” instead chanced upon the explosive combination of potassium nitrate, sulphur and charcoal – gunpowder. Even though it burned down several homes in the process, Chinese inventors recognised the multitude of military uses for this potent concoction, including artillery shells, landmines, cannons, and (on the less aggressive front) fireworks.

589 ad

The name of the first person to use toilet paper has been lost to the dusty pages of history, but the first reference to the practice comes from Chinese court official Yan Zhitui in 589 AD. Other toiletry techniques around the world at that time included the use of rags, leaves, grass, moss, corncobs, wool, a sponge-on-a-stick, or washing with water.