The invent of the roll of perforated sheets of paper is usually credited to Seth Wheeler of Albany in 1871. However, it took a local Philadelphia company to package, promote and make it a commercial success.
The Scott Paper Co. was organized in 1879 by two Philadelphia brothers, Clarence and Irvin Scott. The Scott brothers bought large rolls of tissue paper from local manufacturers and converted them into small rolls of perforated toilet paper.
They set up an office at 25 - 27 N 6th St. (now where gift shop of Independence Visitor Center is) and began selling the individual rolls to local retailers who would resell them under their own brand names. When Irvin’s son, Arthur, joined the firm in 1896, he began mass marketing their toilet paper. Arthur soon acquired the rights to the Waldorf brand name, which became the company's best seller.
As business grew, the company built a large mill and factory in Chester, PA. to begin manufacturing its own paper. In 1918, Scott Paper Co. moved it's offices to the Chester factory site.
In the 20th century, Scott grew to be the largest manufacturer of paper personal hygiene products in the world. The company was bought out by Kimberley-Clark in 1995 who still market ScotTissue as well as other Scott products like Cottonelle and Viva at the plant in Chester.
Irvin and Clarence Scott 1887 ad 1917 ad
in 1879
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