Final answer:
Toilet paper didn't catch on for a while because the practice of using paper for personal hygiene after using the restroom didn't become widespread until the 19th century.
Step-by-step explanation:
Paper was actually invented in ancient China, but it didn't become popular in Europe until the 14th century. Paper was made from linen rags that were left to rot in large vats of water, crushed until they became pulp, poured into molds, and then left to dry. This process resulted in large pieces of paper that were suitable for use in the newly invented printing press.
So, why didn't toilet paper catch on for a while? Well, toilet paper is a specific type of paper that is used for personal hygiene after using the restroom. The practice of using paper for this purpose didn't become widespread until the 19th century. Before that, people used other materials like leaves, corncobs, or even their hands.
In the 1850s, Joseph Gayetty introduced the first commercially available toilet paper in the United States. It was made from hemp and contained aloe, which was soothing to the skin. However, it took some time for toilet paper to gain widespread acceptance and become a common household item.
Therefore toilet paper didn't catch on for a while because the practice of using paper for personal hygiene after using the restroom didn't become widespread until the 19th century. In the 1850s, the first commercially available toilet paper was introduced, but it took time to gain widespread acceptance.