When Were Paper Towels Invented? History of Paper Towels

Every day, people grab paper towels without thinking. They’ve become a normal part of daily life. We use them for spills, dirty hands, and messy counters. They’re quick, clean, and easy to toss. But have you ever asked yourself, When were paper towels invented? Where did this idea come from? 

Paper towels began in 1907 when Arthur Scott decided to cut and reuse a faulty shipment of toilet paper. He introduced them as a cleaner way to dry hands and stop the spread of germs in public restrooms.

This article explains who invented paper towels, when it happened, and how they changed household habits. You’ll discover the full story behind one of the most useful modern conveniences we rely on today.

When Were Paper Towels Invented?

In 1907, Arthur Scott from the Scott Paper Company in Philadelphia created paper towels using leftover thick paper. He had a batch of paper that was too thick to use as toilet paper. Instead of wasting it, he looked for a new idea that could help people stay clean in a simple way.

At the time, many schools and public restrooms used shared cloth towels for drying hands. One teacher had her students use soft paper sheets to avoid spreading germs between them.

Arthur Scott heard about this and decided to cut his thick paper into small sheets for drying hands. He tested the new product in public restrooms. Each person used one clean sheet and threw it away. People liked that they didn’t have to touch something used by others. It felt cleaner and easier.

This was the first time disposable paper was used for hygiene. People started to notice the difference. Soon the paper towels were not just in public places. They started showing up in homes too.

By the 1930s, people were using them for spills, hand drying, and cleaning kitchen surfaces. They became part of daily routines and helped shape new habits around staying clean.

Arthur Scott and the Accidental Invention of Paper Towels

In the late 1800s, Clarence and Edward Scott started a paper company in Philadelphia. They made simple paper goods like wrapping sheets and bags for stores and markets. Over time, the Scott Paper Company grew, and its families stayed involved in the business.

In 1907, Arthur Scott was running the company when something unusual happened at the factory. A train delivered a full railcar of paper rolls that were too thick for toilet paper. Instead of throwing them out, Arthur tried to think of a way to use the paper.

At the same time, a teacher in Philadelphia was doing something different in her school. She had her students use soft paper sheets to dry their hands instead of shared towels. This helped stop germs from spreading and kept the kids cleaner during cold and flu season.

Arthur liked the idea and cut the thick rolls into smaller sheets for hand drying.
He called the new product Sani-Towel and sold it to hotels, restaurants, and train stations. Each towel was used once and then thrown away. That made public restrooms feel cleaner and safer.

It all started by mistake, but this small change helped create a brand-new way to stay clean. The accidental invention by Arthur Scott became the first step in what we now call paper towels.

How Paper Towels Evolved Over Time

Paper towels didn’t become a household item overnight. They went through many changes over the years. From a factory mistake to a product seen in nearly every kitchen today, the story keeps growing.

Below, this timeline shows the key dates, people, and ideas that helped shape paper towel history.

How Paper Towels Became a Household Staple

Paper towels weren’t always found in homes. At first, they were only used in places where many people shared space, such as public bathrooms, school classrooms, and hospital sinks. These were the first places to test the idea of disposable towels.

First Use in Hospitals and Public Spaces

In the early 1900s, paper towels were placed in restrooms and lunchrooms to stop the spread of germs. Hospitals used them for patient safety. Restaurants used them to dry hands before preparing or serving food.

Schools replaced shared towels with individual sheets so students could stay cleaner during the cold season. These commercial bathrooms were the first to show that disposable paper could improve daily hygiene.

Kitchen Towels Entered the Home in 1931

In 1931, Scott Paper Co. released a new version of the towel made just for kitchen cleaning. They called them kitchen paper towels. They were softer, smaller, and rolled for easy tearing.

People used them to clean sticky countertops, soak up cooking spills, and dry their hands while cooking. This was the first time a paper towel roll was placed inside a home cabinet or on a counter.

How Advertising Changed Cleaning Habits

After World War II, many families started spending more time at work and less time cleaning. They wanted fast ways to handle messes without using rags or adding to the laundry pile.

Paper towels fit that need. Tear a sheet, clean it up, and toss it. No washing, no waiting. This made them feel modern and useful, especially for busy parents trying to keep their kitchens tidy.

Companies noticed this change and adjusted their ads to match real life. Scott Products ran simple ads showing clean hands, bright counters, and one fresh towel per job.

By the 1960s, most homes already had a roll in the kitchen drawer or hanging near the sink. Then, brands like Bounty entered stores with bold colors, catchy slogans, and a softer feel. They didn’t just talk about cleaning. They showed how paper towels made life easier every single day.

From cleaning spills to drying hands, people didn’t think twice anymore. Kitchen towels became a regular part of home routines, not just a backup. They were the first thing people grabbed.

Fun and Fascinating Facts About Paper Towels

Paper towels may seem ordinary, but they have a surprising history and some pretty cool facts behind them. Here are a few facts that might make you think differently the next time you grab a paper towel roll.

• Paper towels can soak up to ten times their own weight in water, which helps with bigger messes.

• The average American uses more than 3,000 paper towels each year at home, work, and in public places.

• The first paper towels made for home use were much bigger than today’s. They measured 13 inches by 18 inches.

• NASA packed paper towels for space missions because they worked well, took up little space, and were lightweight.

• Some public restrooms still have working Sani-Towel dispensers that were installed back in the 1940s.

• A huge paper towel roll once broke a world record. It stood over 10 feet tall and nearly 10 feet wide.

• About 3,000 tons of used paper towels are thrown into landfills every day in the United States.

• Some companies now sell reusable paper towels made from bamboo or cloth to help reduce daily waste.

The Environmental Impact of Paper Towels

Paper towels are helpful for quick cleanups, but they come with real costs to the environment. From the trees used to make them to the piles of waste they leave behind, the damage adds up fast.

Deforestation and Resource Use

Trees are the main ingredient in paper towels, so many are cut down to begin the process. Every year, paper production removes millions from forests. This destroys habitats for animals and reduces the number of trees that absorb carbon from the air.

The paper-making process uses tons of water and power to turn wood into soft paper. Much of that energy comes from burning coal or gas, which releases harmful emissions into the air.

Carbon Emissions and Pollution

Paper towel factories release carbon dioxide, one of the gases responsible for climate change. To make towels white and soft, producers use bleach and other chemicals in the process.

When these chemicals enter lakes or rivers, they can harm fish, plants, and water quality. The total carbon footprint of a roll includes tree removal, shipping, packaging, and factory power use.

Landfill Waste and Methane Gas

Paper towels are used once and then thrown away. Most can’t be composted or recycled. Each year, people in the United States throw away more than 3.8 million tons of paper towels.

Worldwide, the total grows even larger, filling landfills with waste that doesn't break down quickly. As paper towels decompose, they release methane gas, which traps heat more than carbon dioxide does.

Can Paper Towels Be Recycled?

Used paper towels are not accepted in standard recycling programs. The fibers are short and usually full of grease. Unless they’re certified compostable, they end up as trash. That adds more pressure to landfills and waste systems.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

Have more questions about paper towels? Here are some answers to common things people still want to know.

Are paper towels biodegradable?

Yes, most paper towels are biodegradable if made from natural fibers. However, those with chemical coatings or synthetic additives may take longer to break down or may not decompose safely in the environment.

Can paper towels be composted at home?

You can compost paper towels free from cleaning chemicals or oils. Towels used for food spills, water, or dirt are safe. Avoid composting those used with bleach, grease, or synthetic products.

What makes used paper towels non-recyclable?

Used paper towels are too contaminated with food, liquids, or grease to be recycled. Their fibers are also short and weak, which makes them unsuitable for most paper recycling systems, even if they look clean.

What materials are paper towels made from?

Most paper towels are made from virgin wood pulp or recycled paper. Some brands add air pockets or embossing for better absorbency. The raw material affects their strength, texture, and environmental impact.

How are paper towels manufactured?

Paper towels are made by turning wood pulp into large sheets, which are then pressed, dried, and rolled into layers. Factories often use water, heat, and energy throughout the process, contributing to overall carbon emissions.

Conclusion 

Paper towels were never part of the original plan. A mistake at a paper factory started it all. That one accident led to a new way of handling messes at schools, hospitals, and restaurants.

From there, people brought them into their homes. Over time, they became everyday tools for keeping things clean. This simple roll of paper is now a common part of kitchens, bathrooms, and workplaces everywhere.

What began as a factory fix turned into one of the most-used hygiene tools in the world. The invention of paper towels changed cleaning habits and helped shape the way homes stay tidy today.

As we learn more about the impact of single-use products, we can also look at how it all began. The story of how towels changed daily life reminds us that small ideas can grow into something lasting.