As well as causing the deaths of more than 6.9 million people and completely reshaping the global socio-economic landscape, the COVID 19 Pandemic will likely be remembered for the many bizarre social trends it inspired. From conspiracy theories about 5G networks causing COVID to the inexplicable revival of sea shanties, the combination of isolation and mass confusion truly brought out the weirdest in people. But perhaps the most unusual – and embarrassing - incident of the pandemic was the great panic which saw millions of people stampede into stores to buy up, hoard – and in certain cases, scalp – massive quantities of toilet paper. Such was the frantic demand for pillowy three-ply that one could be forgiven for thinking the main symptom of COVID was chronic diarrhea. Yet perhaps we shouldn’t be so surprised, for this was not the first time this has happened. About a half century ago, America was swept by another buying mania for that oh-so-precious bum fodder, though this time triggered not by a virus, but by a talk show host’s ill-timed joke. This is the story of the Great Toilet Paper Panic of 1973.
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