If you remember back to the mid-1960s (1965 to be exact), you may recall that there was a "paper shortage". I put that in quotes because no one ever convinced me that the shortage was due to anything other than the makers of paper products wished to make higher profits. If they squeezed the public by withholding product for a few months, they could raise prices and the consumer would be so happy to be able to obtain the product that they would not revolt.
Let's talk toilet paper (TP - or toilet tissue, TT, if you were raised to be more refined). Before the paper shortage of 1965, the standard roll of TP contained 500 4.5"X4.5" sheets. After the shortage, the size of the standard roll was about 450 sheets, as I recall (anyone else remember for sure?) Over the years, the number of sheets on a standard roll continued to dwindle. These days, there really is no such thing as a standard roll - each manufacturer seems to have a different idea as to what it is; but, I can assure you that I have seen rolls of toilet paper with fewer than 200 sheets on it.
Some time ago, I noticed that the size of a toilet paper sheet had been reduced. I don't know what the size was reduced to (I don't recall); but, that wasn't the last time. About a year ago, the size was reduced again. I commented at the time that, if the trend continued, we would be buying rolls of ribbon to wrap around our fingers!
In the past couple of years, I have switched to buying "Mega" rolls - in order to spend less time changing rolls in the bathrooms. Believe me, I have tried different brands; but, because I saved the wrapper from my latest purchase, that is what you will see in the photos, below.
The first photo shows that the width of the roll has decreased over time. The older roll of TP (on the left) is a bit wider than the newer roll. (Trust me on this: In this house, we will never be caught without TP in each bathroom. We have two of the older rolls that have been in the cabinet for a year or two. I kept them because I had every intention of complaining to the manufacturer about the, then-latest reduction in paper. At some point, I threw away the packaging to the older rolls; but, funny thing is, my complaint was before the latest reduction!)
Notice too that in the photo above, the right-hand roll appears to be larger - to contain more sheets. It does not. It contains fewer sheets. The manufacturer just wound the paper less tightly. BTW: Hunky Husband just walked by and thought that it was perspective that made the two rolls look different, one from the other - until I showed him the real rolls.
The photos below show parts of the front and back labeling on the package that I bought the other day. You'll note on the upper of the two photos that one (in this case "Mega") roll is equivalent to four standard rolls.
But, OMG, read (below) how many sheets are on each roll: 330 sheets. If I remember my goesintos, I infer that there are 82.5 sheets per roll. Can you believe that?!!!!
Oh...and while you are looking, note that each sheet is 4.27"x4".
Summary: Incredible shrinking sheets on incredibly shrinking rolls.
Pissing and moaning over: Let's go for Cute.
You are probably familiar with CYA (Cover Your Ass); but, did you ever see PYA (Protect Your Ass)? See below the fold a photo of a cute lapel button that HH brought home some years ago.
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