🧻 The Toilet Paper Panic of 1973: When America Flushed Its Cool
In the wild annals of American absurdity, the great Toilet Paper Panic of 1973 stands as a shining — or perhaps crumpled — example of how quickly things can go sideways. It started as a joke, became a frenzy, and left bathroom shelves bare across the country. This wasn’t war, famine, or a natural disaster. Instead, it was about toilet paper. And yes, it really happened.
📺 The Spark: Johnny Carson’s Joke
On December 19, 1973, Johnny Carson, host of The Tonight Show, delivered a short monologue joke that sparked nationwide chaos. Referring to news reports of a potential toilet paper shortage (in a very limited context), Carson said:
“You know what’s disappearing from the supermarket shelves? Toilet paper! There’s an acute shortage of toilet paper in the United States. We gotta quit writing on it!”
Although the comment was meant to be funny, viewers — already living through the energy crisis, food price spikes, and recession anxiety — took it seriously. As a result, panic set in. Shoppers flooded stores. They hoarded toilet paper. Meanwhile, the supply chain… well, it just couldn’t handle it.
💥 The Perfect Storm
To be fair, Carson didn’t invent the shortage out of thin air. Earlier that day, Wisconsin congressman Harold Froehlich had warned of potential shortages due to paper pulp supply issues. Carson’s joke just supercharged the anxiety. CBS News covered the story decades later, reflecting on how one joke turned into a national frenzy.
At the time, Americans were fresh off gasoline rationing and butter shortages, so they grabbed every roll in sight. Consequently, the mere sight of a shopper with TP in their cart would trigger a stampede. Before long, store shelves across the country were cleared out in hours.
🛒 The Fallout: A Nation Gripped by Panic
- Shelves were wiped clean.
- Toilet paper became a black market item.
- People waited in line for hours — not for gasoline, but for toilet paper.
- Manufacturers had to issue press releases begging people to calm down.
Meanwhile, newspapers ran headlines like:
“Toilet Paper Grows Scarce — Panic Buying Blamed”
Even the federal government had to step in and assure the public that there was, in fact, no nationwide toilet paper shortage. Nevertheless, the panic continued.
🧑🤝🧑 Enter Ellis & June
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📚 What Can We Learn from This?
- Panic is contagious. One joke can spark a nationwide shortage.
- The media matters. Especially when trust is low and nerves are high.
- Toilet paper is not just a commodity. It’s comfort, it’s control, and it’s civilization in a roll…
In hindsight, even humor — when timed just right — can set off a national frenzy. Clearly, this wasn’t the last time it would happen. After all, toilet paper panic resurfaced again in recent memory.
🧻 Fun Facts from the Panic:
- Johnny Carson later apologized and clarified the joke.
- Some stores imposed limits: “One 4-pack per customer.”
- This would be echoed again in… you guessed it, 2020.
Therefore, the next time you grab that jumbo pack of 24, remember: you’re standing on the shoulders of those who panicked before you. So stay calm. And maybe… bring a backup roll.
For another quirky chapter in American absurdity, check out The Battle of the Frogs — Connecticut’s loudest night.
