“Buying toilet paper ensures that at least one act in their life is completely taken care of!” ­– Jay Zagorsky, economist, Boston University.

Toilet paper is a poster product, a bellwether of irregularity in the demand and supply of consumer goods in the nation. The slogan, “Medicated Paper for the Water Closet” was used by inventor Joseph C. Gayetty to market the first commercial toilet paper. Prior to that, corn cobs, leaves, anything handy that was a little rough with absorbency was used. Americans take toilet paper seriously, with 4% of the world’s population of people consuming 20% of the supply.

“We hope we don’t have to ration toilet tissue — toilet paper is no laughing matter.” — Representative Harold V. Froelich, Wisconsin.

The context of his remark was that a shortage of wood pulp caused by exports to Japan for larger profits put the supply of bathroom tissue to the armed services and their civilian work force at risk. It was 1973 and fear of shortages was on the mind from the OPEC oil embargo. Johnny Carson used the news in his monologue on “The Tonight Show,” with the line, “if you don’t buy extra toilet paper, better keep the paper sack — you might need it.” Toilet paper suddenly was in short supply.

Heard by one, who tells two, who tells more, all jumping on the bandwagon, and the shortages begin to appear. People have a “zero risk bias,” according to Professor Zagorsky, and when faced with uncertainty in the world, they find comfort in the feeling of being prepared, so they stock up. Uncertainty and change can be the result of acts of nature — the pandemic altered patterns in dining, creating a shortage of ketchup sachets — three were bid as high as $11.89 on eBay. Or by acts of man — the Shooting Sports Federation estimated 40% of guns sold in January 2021 were purchased by first-time owners; civil and political unrest increases apprehension, luring people to seek self-protection.

The supply side of the equation can be affected, as a headline notes, “Toilet Paper Shortage Possible Amid Container Crisis.” The availability of shipping containers, which can move product via ship, then by rail or truck, door-to-door efficiently, could delay shipments of pulp wood, used to manufacture toilet paper, according to supplier, Suzano, SA. The pandemic has affected the flow of containers from lockdowns and layoffs, causing labor shortages. News of the container ship Ever Given, wedged between the banks of the Suez Canal, underscores the reality that human error can be a factor.

“We had to have a roll of toilet paper in there. Who would have guessed there would be a run on toilet paper in 2020?” — Debbie King, Mayor, Nampa, Idaho.

When people look back on the year 2020, toilet paper will be remembered. The International Time Capsule Society reports that a roll of toilet paper has been among the items used around the country; the City of Nampa, Idaho will open theirs in 100 years. Who knows? If the price of toilet paper continues to rise, will everyone be using bidets?

“Today you can go into a gas station and find the cash register open, and the toilets locked. They must think toilet paper is worth more than money.” — Joey Bishop, talk show host.