In the late nineteenth century, perforated toilet paper became increasingly recognizable in the form we know today.

And an early patent illustration has become famous among people arguing for the "over" position.

The patent associated with Seth Wheeler's perforated toilet paper design from 1891 includes an illustration showing the paper coming over the top of the roll.

That historical image is often brought up whenever people argue that number 1 is the "correct" way.

It doesn't mean that hanging toilet paper under the roll is illegal.

It doesn't mean that someone who chooses number 2 is objectively doing something terrible.

And it certainly doesn't mean the government has a bathroom inspector waiting outside your door.

It simply provides an interesting clue about how the product was originally envisioned.

The overhand orientation also makes practical sense.

When the loose end is positioned over the top, the user can immediately see where the next sheet begins.

Because modern toilet paper is perforated, the user can grab the edge and pull downward or outward until the desired number of sheets is reached.

The paper is also separated from the wall.

That may make the loose end easier to grab without touching the surface behind the roll.

This is particularly relevant in shared bathrooms.

The less unnecessary contact with surrounding surfaces, the better.

But there's another reason number 1 has remained so popular.

It simply looks more obvious.

When you enter a bathroom and see the loose sheet hanging over the front of the roll, you immediately know where to pull.

There's no need to reach around the roll to locate the edge.

That's probably why so many people instinctively choose it.

Still, history isn't the same thing as a universal rule.

There is no medical law requiring your toilet paper to face one direction.

So if you have always used number 2, you haven't been secretly violating some ancient bathroom code.

You simply have a different preference.

CHAPTER 3 — IS ONE SIDE ACTUALLY MORE HYGIENIC?

This is where the debate gets a little more interesting.

People often claim that the overhand position is more hygienic because the loose paper is farther away from the wall.

That argument has some practical logic.

When the paper hangs over the top, the portion you are about to touch is relatively exposed and easy to grab.

When the paper hangs underneath, the loose edge is closer to the wall or the mounting surface.

But we shouldn't exaggerate the difference.

Toilet paper isn't sterile regardless of which direction it hangs.