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Ever wondered about the strange things that can happen when something basic is in short supply? Imagine this: the Great Toilet Paper Shortage of 1973. Yes, you got it. The stuff we usually don't think twice about turned into a crazy situation, causing chaos and a shopping frenzy. What on earth led to a rush for toilet paper, turning it into a sought-after item and emptying store shelves?

The early '70s, known for disco beats and bell-bottoms, took an unexpected turn when whispers of a toilet paper shortage swept through households like wildfire. Suddenly, a simple trip to the grocery store became a strategic mission, with anxious shoppers grappling for the last precious rolls. It wasn't a shortage caused by a natural disaster or economic collapse; it was a psychological ripple effect that turned this everyday essential into a symbol of societal panic.

As we journey back to the rollercoaster ride that was the Great Toilet Paper Shortage, prepare to be amused, astounded, and maybe even perplexed by the lengths people went to secure their bathroom supplies. From ingenious workarounds to the comedic chaos in the aisles, this is a tale that transcends time, showcasing the quirky side of human behavior when faced with the unexpected.

Get ready to chuckle and shake your head in disbelief as we unravel the mysteries of why, in 1973, toilet paper became the unlikely protagonist of a national drama. It's more than a story about scarcity; it's a glimpse into the collective psyche of a society navigating uncharted waters, one bathroom tissue roll at a time.

In the maze of historical shortages – oil, rubber, coffee, medicine – one peculiar scarcity stands out: the Great Toilet Paper Shortage of 1973. This seemingly mundane commodity became the epicenter of chaos and consumer frenzy, leaving store shelves barren. But what sparked this unexpected run on toilet paper, turning it into a coveted treasure?

Let's briefly explore the history of toilet paper. Unlike today's common use, toilet paper wasn't always a staple. Early "cleaning" materials were likely leaves and sticks. Coastal regions favored mussel shells before toilet paper's rise around 1900. In India and the Arab world, some prefer the left hand, finding Western paper practices distasteful. Colonial America used corn cobs, later switching to newspapers in the 1700s, thanks to Gutenberg's press. The Sears catalog became popular in the late 19th century, but the glossy paper of the 1930s diminished its utility. The first manufactured wiping paper appeared in England in 1880, evolving into the soft, fluffy type embraced by Americans in 1907.

The Origin of the Great Toilet Paper Shortage

It all began as a joke during Johnny Carson's NBC Tonight Show monologue on December 19, 1973. "Here's Johnny!" Johnny, like most talk show hosts, relied on a team of writers to craft his monologue.

Upon hearing about Wisconsin congressman Harold Froehlich's claim earlier that day regarding the government's lag in procuring bids for toilet paper, Carson's writers decided to incorporate a joke into his routine. "You know what's vanishing from supermarket shelves? Toilet paper. There's a serious shortage of toilet paper in the United States," quipped Carson. Little did they anticipate the consequences of that statement? If you're not familiar, the early 1970s were marked by shortages, particularly of oil.

The morning after Carson's monologue, a multitude of the 20 million viewers rushed to supermarkets, buying up all available toilet paper. By noon, most stores were wiped clean. Attempts to ration the commodity failed as demand outpaced supply. Several nights later, Johnny Carson took to the airwaves, clarifying that there was no actual shortage and expressing apologies for causing public distress.

However, the sight of empty shelves fueled the panic, persisting even after Scott Paper released videos of their plants in full production, urging the public to stay calm. Three weeks later, the shelves were replenished, bringing an end to the manufactured shortage. This remains the only instance in American history where consumers themselves triggered a significant shortage. A peculiar turn of events, all stemming from a seemingly harmless joke.