1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:04,960 Speaker 1: Fellow ridiculous historians. We are a family show. We welcome 2 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:08,240 Speaker 1: you gratefully. We are so excited that you have joined 3 00:00:08,320 --> 00:00:12,200 Speaker 1: us for this classic episode, and we want you to 4 00:00:12,280 --> 00:00:15,880 Speaker 1: know before you get into it, there are going to 5 00:00:15,920 --> 00:00:17,480 Speaker 1: be a lot of poop jokes in this one. 6 00:00:17,800 --> 00:00:19,360 Speaker 2: Yeah, there was no way around it. You know, it's 7 00:00:19,400 --> 00:00:22,640 Speaker 2: kind of funny, man. Last week's classic episode was about 8 00:00:22,680 --> 00:00:24,920 Speaker 2: showing your butt. This week's is about washing it. 9 00:00:25,040 --> 00:00:26,759 Speaker 1: We had a phase, we had a day. 10 00:00:26,960 --> 00:00:29,639 Speaker 2: It was a fut phase. And we also referenced this 11 00:00:29,720 --> 00:00:34,320 Speaker 2: episode quite a lot as a good example of native advertising. 12 00:00:34,400 --> 00:00:37,680 Speaker 2: Because I'm not mistaken, man, We did successfully pitch this 13 00:00:37,720 --> 00:00:40,080 Speaker 2: to a bidet company who sponsored it back in the 14 00:00:40,159 --> 00:00:45,040 Speaker 2: bidet when and when it originally came out that will 15 00:00:45,080 --> 00:00:47,040 Speaker 2: have been stripped out by now, but you know it 16 00:00:47,120 --> 00:00:49,640 Speaker 2: was I think a Tushy sponsored episode. 17 00:00:49,840 --> 00:00:53,720 Speaker 1: Yes, Tushy, a supplier of Bedazz. Now, let me take 18 00:00:53,760 --> 00:00:58,160 Speaker 1: a moment, fellow ridiculous historians, to give some credit where 19 00:00:58,160 --> 00:01:01,440 Speaker 1: it's due. It's very important to me, Noel. You and 20 00:01:01,520 --> 00:01:06,160 Speaker 1: I were working on this episode. Why don't Americans use 21 00:01:06,240 --> 00:01:09,720 Speaker 1: the days? And you are the guy who came to 22 00:01:09,760 --> 00:01:13,920 Speaker 1: me and said, hey man, Hey man, what if we 23 00:01:14,280 --> 00:01:17,319 Speaker 1: reached out to a bidet company and I'm the guy 24 00:01:17,360 --> 00:01:21,040 Speaker 1: who said, wait, holy smokes, can we do that? And 25 00:01:21,080 --> 00:01:23,080 Speaker 1: you said, what's the worst that could happen? 26 00:01:23,440 --> 00:01:23,680 Speaker 3: You know. 27 00:01:24,040 --> 00:01:25,520 Speaker 2: I don't know if that's how it went down or 28 00:01:25,520 --> 00:01:28,000 Speaker 2: not been, but it has become codified in the lore 29 00:01:28,240 --> 00:01:31,119 Speaker 2: of this show. So I thank you for the credit 30 00:01:31,160 --> 00:01:33,240 Speaker 2: where it may or may not be due, but that 31 00:01:33,360 --> 00:01:35,679 Speaker 2: is absolutely what happened. To some degree. We did pitch 32 00:01:35,680 --> 00:01:39,200 Speaker 2: it and they did bite, but most importantly, we got 33 00:01:39,200 --> 00:01:42,559 Speaker 2: to talk about bidets. I am a huge bidet fan, 34 00:01:43,400 --> 00:01:45,960 Speaker 2: not just saying that because of a sponsor. 35 00:01:45,880 --> 00:01:48,960 Speaker 1: And prolegmatic way everybody. 36 00:01:48,520 --> 00:01:50,560 Speaker 2: Do not I want a problematic way is there. They're great, 37 00:01:50,600 --> 00:01:52,520 Speaker 2: They're just I mean, come on, let's be honest, Ben, 38 00:01:52,560 --> 00:01:56,600 Speaker 2: Wiping your butt with dry toilet paper is weird and 39 00:01:56,680 --> 00:01:58,440 Speaker 2: a huge waste of resources. 40 00:01:58,600 --> 00:02:02,760 Speaker 1: I spend a lot of time in countries where bidets 41 00:02:02,840 --> 00:02:05,760 Speaker 1: are crazy common, and I just got to tell you, guys, 42 00:02:06,080 --> 00:02:07,760 Speaker 1: Japan is pooping in the future. 43 00:02:07,920 --> 00:02:10,280 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, man, I finally upgraded and got myself a 44 00:02:10,320 --> 00:02:13,560 Speaker 2: Toto washlets and it's changed my life. And just to 45 00:02:13,680 --> 00:02:15,919 Speaker 2: jump in here for a second, I just want to 46 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:18,320 Speaker 2: make sure that it's known that we're three for three. 47 00:02:18,840 --> 00:02:20,960 Speaker 2: Toilet paper is barbaric, It really. 48 00:02:20,800 --> 00:02:26,200 Speaker 1: Is, unanimously. Yeah, whether you are royalty or a roaming vagrant, 49 00:02:26,720 --> 00:02:30,680 Speaker 1: at some point you will have to poop. And the 50 00:02:30,720 --> 00:02:35,000 Speaker 1: study of sanitation is a study of civilization. In this 51 00:02:35,040 --> 00:02:42,520 Speaker 1: classic episode, well in this classic episode, we ask ourselves 52 00:02:43,800 --> 00:02:44,880 Speaker 1: about how to poop. 53 00:02:44,960 --> 00:02:47,920 Speaker 2: Right, let's roll that beautiful bidet footage. 54 00:02:51,200 --> 00:03:19,280 Speaker 1: Ridiculous History is a production of iHeartRadio. Welcome to the show, 55 00:03:19,360 --> 00:03:23,760 Speaker 1: fellow Ridiculous Historians. We'd like to start today's episode with 56 00:03:24,120 --> 00:03:27,240 Speaker 1: just a couple of statistics, some of which may surprise 57 00:03:27,280 --> 00:03:29,720 Speaker 1: you. You're gonna give us the straight poop, Ben, I am, 58 00:03:29,880 --> 00:03:32,440 Speaker 1: I am. And by the way, and yeah your nol 59 00:03:32,520 --> 00:03:37,440 Speaker 1: I'm Ben. That's our super producer, Casey Pegram, saving the 60 00:03:37,480 --> 00:03:41,400 Speaker 1: show every time we are here in the booth with you. So, 61 00:03:41,760 --> 00:03:47,880 Speaker 1: first things first, the average American uses twenty three point 62 00:03:47,960 --> 00:03:53,279 Speaker 1: six rolls of toilet paper per year per capita. Huh, 63 00:03:53,320 --> 00:03:55,480 Speaker 1: which doesn't seem like that much right now. It doesn't 64 00:03:55,920 --> 00:03:58,840 Speaker 1: until you consider that there are over three hundred million 65 00:03:58,920 --> 00:03:59,920 Speaker 1: people in the US. 66 00:04:00,240 --> 00:04:02,000 Speaker 2: Ah, yeah, we're lousy with people. 67 00:04:02,360 --> 00:04:05,800 Speaker 1: And that makes a total of seven point four billion 68 00:04:06,080 --> 00:04:08,360 Speaker 1: rolls of toilet paper used in the US each year. 69 00:04:08,440 --> 00:04:11,120 Speaker 2: You ever, just think about just picture everyone in the world. 70 00:04:11,520 --> 00:04:14,880 Speaker 2: But you know what kind of blows the mind a 71 00:04:14,880 --> 00:04:15,560 Speaker 2: little bit, doesn't it. 72 00:04:16,320 --> 00:04:19,960 Speaker 1: But some people will think it's particularly cheeky of us 73 00:04:20,000 --> 00:04:23,880 Speaker 1: to have back to back episodes related to butts, or 74 00:04:23,880 --> 00:04:25,000 Speaker 1: should we say cheek to cheek? 75 00:04:25,120 --> 00:04:26,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, you know, like the way you dance with the 76 00:04:26,600 --> 00:04:27,159 Speaker 2: lady in Red. 77 00:04:27,320 --> 00:04:31,280 Speaker 1: You know, thanks for classing that up, man. We seriously, 78 00:04:31,360 --> 00:04:33,200 Speaker 1: I think we need as much class as we can 79 00:04:33,200 --> 00:04:37,080 Speaker 1: get in this episode. The average American uses fifty percent 80 00:04:37,279 --> 00:04:41,359 Speaker 1: more TP than people in Western Europe and Japan, and 81 00:04:41,400 --> 00:04:45,359 Speaker 1: there's a big reason for that, which is the subject 82 00:04:45,720 --> 00:04:47,720 Speaker 1: of our episode today, which. 83 00:04:47,480 --> 00:04:50,600 Speaker 2: By the way, yes, let me tell you we are 84 00:04:50,720 --> 00:04:53,480 Speaker 2: excited about this for a couple of reasons. I don't 85 00:04:53,520 --> 00:04:55,719 Speaker 2: know if you guys know what custom content is. That's 86 00:04:55,720 --> 00:04:57,839 Speaker 2: sort of the industry buzzword for when you make a 87 00:04:57,839 --> 00:05:00,960 Speaker 2: piece of content for a company, which is kind of 88 00:05:00,960 --> 00:05:04,720 Speaker 2: what we're doing today. But it's totally awesome because I 89 00:05:04,760 --> 00:05:07,919 Speaker 2: am just a huge fan of Bedeys, first of all, 90 00:05:08,080 --> 00:05:09,600 Speaker 2: and I'm a huge fan of this company that is 91 00:05:09,600 --> 00:05:12,880 Speaker 2: sponsored this episode, a company called Tushy who actually sent 92 00:05:13,040 --> 00:05:15,279 Speaker 2: us these bidets. And I will tell you, my friend, 93 00:05:15,360 --> 00:05:18,080 Speaker 2: my butt has never been cleaner, my disposition has never 94 00:05:18,080 --> 00:05:21,760 Speaker 2: been sunnier. I'm just loving life, and the beday life 95 00:05:21,800 --> 00:05:22,919 Speaker 2: is the life for me, my friend. 96 00:05:23,080 --> 00:05:24,480 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's a brand new bidet. 97 00:05:25,240 --> 00:05:27,360 Speaker 2: Get it. I see what you did there. That's gonna happen. 98 00:05:27,640 --> 00:05:28,679 Speaker 1: We've been throwing that around. 99 00:05:28,720 --> 00:05:31,240 Speaker 2: Although apparently I saw an Englishman talking about it and 100 00:05:31,240 --> 00:05:32,560 Speaker 2: he pronounces it b day. 101 00:05:32,880 --> 00:05:37,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, I saw. I saw the same video. Now let's 102 00:05:37,120 --> 00:05:40,120 Speaker 1: continue peeking behind the curtain here because I want to 103 00:05:40,160 --> 00:05:44,360 Speaker 1: assure you friends and neighbors that my co host enthusiasm 104 00:05:44,560 --> 00:05:46,159 Speaker 1: is genuine and sincere. 105 00:05:46,320 --> 00:05:47,680 Speaker 2: I literally talk about it all the time. 106 00:05:47,839 --> 00:05:52,400 Speaker 1: It's weird, it gets weird sometimes. But but oh but 107 00:05:53,080 --> 00:05:54,640 Speaker 1: oh this is gonna be ridiculous. 108 00:05:54,760 --> 00:05:55,960 Speaker 2: That's fun. I'm having it already. 109 00:05:56,080 --> 00:05:59,120 Speaker 1: So our in another show that we do stuff they 110 00:05:59,120 --> 00:06:02,760 Speaker 1: don't want you to know, with our illustrious, amazing co 111 00:06:02,839 --> 00:06:08,560 Speaker 1: host Matt Frederick. We actually also did the day sponsorship. 112 00:06:08,880 --> 00:06:13,280 Speaker 1: We did some ads for them, but this episode came 113 00:06:13,360 --> 00:06:17,239 Speaker 1: about because we reached out to them and said, we're 114 00:06:17,279 --> 00:06:21,000 Speaker 1: gonna do this anyway. Do you guys want to hang out? Basically, 115 00:06:21,880 --> 00:06:26,120 Speaker 1: and we're so glad that when we reached out to them. Yeah, 116 00:06:26,160 --> 00:06:28,919 Speaker 1: we did it, Yeah, because it just made sense and 117 00:06:28,960 --> 00:06:30,600 Speaker 1: it's like podcast need sponsors. 118 00:06:30,880 --> 00:06:34,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, why not. There's a match made in but heaven. 119 00:06:35,200 --> 00:06:39,640 Speaker 1: Because we're also we're also fairly silly, a juvenile for 120 00:06:39,680 --> 00:06:40,400 Speaker 1: two grown men. 121 00:06:40,760 --> 00:06:43,800 Speaker 2: You know what, I'm never gonna let that boyish, potty 122 00:06:43,839 --> 00:06:44,640 Speaker 2: mind die. 123 00:06:44,720 --> 00:06:50,000 Speaker 1: Heck yeah, banger rang, That's what I say. So we 124 00:06:50,360 --> 00:06:55,760 Speaker 1: started investigating the history of this, and just at the 125 00:06:55,880 --> 00:06:58,520 Speaker 1: very front of the episode, we want to point out 126 00:06:59,160 --> 00:07:04,200 Speaker 1: the following. Although it can seem very hilarious and silly, 127 00:07:04,200 --> 00:07:07,000 Speaker 1: you know what, arg you rightfully so to talk about 128 00:07:07,120 --> 00:07:11,400 Speaker 1: these kinds of these kinds of gadgets and the techniques 129 00:07:11,400 --> 00:07:14,280 Speaker 1: people use to stay clean across the world. The truth 130 00:07:14,280 --> 00:07:18,160 Speaker 1: of the matter is that sanitation is a tremendously important 131 00:07:18,160 --> 00:07:20,800 Speaker 1: thing throughout history and in the modern day. 132 00:07:20,960 --> 00:07:23,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, have we talked about the fact that today in 133 00:07:23,760 --> 00:07:26,440 Speaker 2: San Francisco, specifically, I saw an interview with the head 134 00:07:26,480 --> 00:07:30,920 Speaker 2: of their sanitation it costs something like a million dollars 135 00:07:31,720 --> 00:07:34,160 Speaker 2: a month or something like that just to clean out 136 00:07:34,240 --> 00:07:35,640 Speaker 2: their sewage system. 137 00:07:35,960 --> 00:07:38,440 Speaker 1: Yeah, there are a lot of people and those those 138 00:07:38,520 --> 00:07:40,720 Speaker 1: costs aren't really going to go down. 139 00:07:40,840 --> 00:07:42,840 Speaker 2: Well, it's because of this thing. If if you heard 140 00:07:42,880 --> 00:07:44,560 Speaker 2: of this, it's called a fat berg. You know what 141 00:07:44,600 --> 00:07:48,640 Speaker 2: a fat is. It's the collection of like grease and 142 00:07:49,160 --> 00:07:53,120 Speaker 2: dirt and hair, toilet paper, toilet paper especially wipes that 143 00:07:53,120 --> 00:07:56,960 Speaker 2: you're not supposed to flush, shanitary products, condoms, absolutely, just 144 00:07:57,000 --> 00:07:59,640 Speaker 2: all the stuff that you're not supposed to flush, and 145 00:07:59,680 --> 00:08:03,600 Speaker 2: that's a huge infrastructure costs. I actually saw an article 146 00:08:03,960 --> 00:08:08,640 Speaker 2: about one of these fatbergs that was so massive in London. 147 00:08:09,240 --> 00:08:11,520 Speaker 2: It was the size of like a double decker bus. 148 00:08:11,560 --> 00:08:14,120 Speaker 2: They removed it and they put it under glass in 149 00:08:14,160 --> 00:08:14,840 Speaker 2: a museum. 150 00:08:15,680 --> 00:08:19,720 Speaker 1: Yes, yeah, and it looks just as disgusting as you 151 00:08:19,800 --> 00:08:22,360 Speaker 1: might imagine. You can find it. You can find this 152 00:08:22,520 --> 00:08:25,960 Speaker 1: article online and you don't have to take our word 153 00:08:26,040 --> 00:08:28,880 Speaker 1: for it. The only recommendation we would make before you 154 00:08:29,200 --> 00:08:30,920 Speaker 1: read the article is to be sure that. 155 00:08:30,920 --> 00:08:34,280 Speaker 2: You are not eating as you peruse it. They call 156 00:08:34,320 --> 00:08:38,080 Speaker 2: it the Whitechapel Monster, which is such a cool name. 157 00:08:38,200 --> 00:08:41,320 Speaker 2: And in England, London rather a Thames Water, which is 158 00:08:41,320 --> 00:08:43,560 Speaker 2: the company that operates the water system there in London, 159 00:08:43,800 --> 00:08:48,280 Speaker 2: spends a million pounds a month just to clear these 160 00:08:48,360 --> 00:08:49,880 Speaker 2: kinds of blockages. 161 00:08:49,640 --> 00:08:53,480 Speaker 1: And it's a constant battle. It's not like they're getting 162 00:08:53,600 --> 00:08:58,800 Speaker 1: ahead of the problem. It's strange because we spend so 163 00:08:59,000 --> 00:09:04,400 Speaker 1: little time thinking about how important sanitation is, especially in 164 00:09:04,520 --> 00:09:08,240 Speaker 1: a world where the majority of people now officially live 165 00:09:08,320 --> 00:09:13,480 Speaker 1: in urban areas. So this fatberg stuff, this problem with 166 00:09:14,280 --> 00:09:19,120 Speaker 1: sewage infrastructure, it's not going to go away. For most 167 00:09:19,120 --> 00:09:22,040 Speaker 1: of our listeners here in the US, A bid day, 168 00:09:22,080 --> 00:09:25,160 Speaker 1: which you've probably heard of before, sounds like a very 169 00:09:25,200 --> 00:09:29,320 Speaker 1: you know, fancy pinkies up European thing, right, you would 170 00:09:29,320 --> 00:09:34,120 Speaker 1: associate it with an upper crust lifestyle. That's reason, and 171 00:09:34,160 --> 00:09:38,400 Speaker 1: there's a great reason for that. So let's turn back 172 00:09:38,480 --> 00:09:43,520 Speaker 1: the clock. Let's travel to France sixteenth century. Maybe that's right, 173 00:09:43,559 --> 00:09:48,800 Speaker 1: the sixteenth century. You see, in the fifteen hundreds, bid 174 00:09:48,880 --> 00:09:53,600 Speaker 1: day was a word referring to a specific type of pet, 175 00:09:54,320 --> 00:09:58,280 Speaker 1: a pony, to be absolutely specific about it, and these 176 00:09:58,320 --> 00:10:02,679 Speaker 1: ponies were kept by French roy The word midday itself 177 00:10:02,960 --> 00:10:09,240 Speaker 1: originates from an old French word which I graphically mispronouncing, bideer, 178 00:10:09,520 --> 00:10:11,920 Speaker 1: which means to trot. 179 00:10:12,440 --> 00:10:16,760 Speaker 2: And these, you know, I'm picturing these fancy frenchmen and 180 00:10:16,800 --> 00:10:21,240 Speaker 2: women in their finery trotting around on these dainty little ponies, 181 00:10:21,400 --> 00:10:25,880 Speaker 2: perhaps with ringlets in their manes, you know, flowing locks, 182 00:10:25,920 --> 00:10:29,000 Speaker 2: flowing locks bedecked with little little bows. Maybe I don't know, 183 00:10:29,080 --> 00:10:32,160 Speaker 2: white stockings, whatever. Man, I'm at a we're editorializing here, 184 00:10:32,160 --> 00:10:34,600 Speaker 2: but I'm just painting a picture. Okay, it's for effect. 185 00:10:34,800 --> 00:10:39,400 Speaker 2: But it wasn't until the sixteen hundreds that the bidet 186 00:10:39,640 --> 00:10:43,600 Speaker 2: as we know it, the b day whatever was kind 187 00:10:43,600 --> 00:10:47,200 Speaker 2: of came into fruition. But it wasn't what we know 188 00:10:47,360 --> 00:10:49,480 Speaker 2: today today's bedey. 189 00:10:49,760 --> 00:10:50,839 Speaker 1: It was it today's day. 190 00:10:50,880 --> 00:10:53,160 Speaker 2: It was the mid day of yesterday, and it was 191 00:10:53,240 --> 00:10:56,080 Speaker 2: really just like a sink. It looked like a chair. 192 00:10:56,400 --> 00:10:59,240 Speaker 1: So yeah, let's let's take a closer look at these 193 00:10:59,480 --> 00:11:06,080 Speaker 1: days of yesterday. The apparatus itself was resembled in some 194 00:11:06,120 --> 00:11:11,320 Speaker 1: ways an ottoman, an ornamental automan. The basin was set 195 00:11:11,400 --> 00:11:16,880 Speaker 1: within wooden furniture and bidets themselves. You will hear different 196 00:11:17,000 --> 00:11:20,520 Speaker 1: contradicting claims about whether there were was a single inventor 197 00:11:20,640 --> 00:11:22,880 Speaker 1: or whether there were multiple people to whom the idea 198 00:11:22,960 --> 00:11:26,160 Speaker 1: occurred around the same time. But one thing for sure 199 00:11:26,160 --> 00:11:29,680 Speaker 1: we know is that they were furniture makers, because these 200 00:11:29,720 --> 00:11:32,760 Speaker 1: things were set into wooden furniture. 201 00:11:32,800 --> 00:11:35,200 Speaker 2: And the thing about that too is there's a reason 202 00:11:35,280 --> 00:11:39,960 Speaker 2: for that, Ben, because these were not in bathrooms, because 203 00:11:39,960 --> 00:11:42,640 Speaker 2: they didn't have indoor plumbing, the idea of a bathroom 204 00:11:42,800 --> 00:11:45,160 Speaker 2: would be more likely. It would be like in your chamber. 205 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:47,679 Speaker 1: Pot it was just a bucket under your bed. 206 00:11:47,760 --> 00:11:50,840 Speaker 2: And p in two or in your dressing room or 207 00:11:50,840 --> 00:11:53,880 Speaker 2: what have you, your your what do you call your boudoir, right, 208 00:11:54,200 --> 00:11:57,719 Speaker 2: and the bidet would just be this little I'm like, 209 00:11:57,840 --> 00:11:59,880 Speaker 2: I'm thinking of it as like a nightstand kind of 210 00:12:00,160 --> 00:12:04,080 Speaker 2: with short legs, and this inlaid basin of water that 211 00:12:04,120 --> 00:12:05,920 Speaker 2: would just be filled up and you'd squad over it 212 00:12:05,960 --> 00:12:09,720 Speaker 2: and literally splash yourself manually, right. 213 00:12:09,679 --> 00:12:11,640 Speaker 1: And this would be I love the point you bring 214 00:12:11,720 --> 00:12:14,680 Speaker 1: up about there not being a separate bathroom or restroom. 215 00:12:14,720 --> 00:12:17,120 Speaker 1: So this would be either in the dressing chambers or 216 00:12:17,200 --> 00:12:21,560 Speaker 1: in the bedroom itself. And to keep it classy, would 217 00:12:21,559 --> 00:12:24,920 Speaker 1: often be a lid, something made of wood or wicker 218 00:12:25,080 --> 00:12:25,920 Speaker 1: or leather. 219 00:12:25,800 --> 00:12:28,160 Speaker 2: And a lot of this, you know, These furniture makers 220 00:12:28,200 --> 00:12:31,079 Speaker 2: would inlay these little basins into these wicker furniture, like 221 00:12:31,160 --> 00:12:33,160 Speaker 2: you were saying, Ben, and it was almost to like 222 00:12:33,200 --> 00:12:36,040 Speaker 2: disguise the function of the device. 223 00:12:36,520 --> 00:12:40,440 Speaker 1: Yeah, because it's it's a very intimate thing. You're already 224 00:12:40,480 --> 00:12:43,720 Speaker 1: in someone's bedroom and then you see how they handle 225 00:12:43,840 --> 00:12:50,000 Speaker 1: some very personal business. But I feel weird every time 226 00:12:50,040 --> 00:12:52,160 Speaker 1: we say, but I'm gonna get over this, I promise. 227 00:12:52,920 --> 00:12:54,200 Speaker 2: However, I like it. 228 00:12:54,440 --> 00:12:58,000 Speaker 1: There we go, good substitute, Thank you, thank you. However, 229 00:12:59,280 --> 00:13:03,720 Speaker 1: in the the origin story of the bidet, it is 230 00:13:05,360 --> 00:13:11,000 Speaker 1: inherently intertwined with the story of class in France. And 231 00:13:11,040 --> 00:13:13,800 Speaker 1: that is why, as we alluded to at the top 232 00:13:13,800 --> 00:13:17,800 Speaker 1: of the show, that is why bidets even today are 233 00:13:17,880 --> 00:13:21,440 Speaker 1: seen as this more upper crust, fancy thing. And you 234 00:13:21,559 --> 00:13:25,439 Speaker 1: start to see why this might not have taken off 235 00:13:25,520 --> 00:13:28,480 Speaker 1: in the United States quite as much because of that 236 00:13:28,600 --> 00:13:35,120 Speaker 1: association with almost hedonism, right, because soldiers would see these 237 00:13:35,240 --> 00:13:38,720 Speaker 1: when they were traveling around Europe during World War Two. Yeah, 238 00:13:38,760 --> 00:13:39,920 Speaker 1: and we want to give a shout out to the 239 00:13:39,920 --> 00:13:43,240 Speaker 1: Atlantic because there is a fantastic article we found called 240 00:13:43,559 --> 00:13:49,160 Speaker 1: the Bidet's Revival. In this article, author Maria Teresa Hart 241 00:13:49,400 --> 00:13:54,160 Speaker 1: explores not just the somewhat murky origin of the bidet, 242 00:13:54,480 --> 00:13:58,559 Speaker 1: but I would argue even more importantly the social role 243 00:13:58,720 --> 00:14:02,280 Speaker 1: it played. It occurred culture, it was found in paintings, 244 00:14:02,440 --> 00:14:06,800 Speaker 1: it was referenced by the most wealthy, successful people of 245 00:14:06,920 --> 00:14:07,440 Speaker 1: the time. 246 00:14:07,840 --> 00:14:11,840 Speaker 2: Even Marie Antoinette, as she awaited her uh he head 247 00:14:11,840 --> 00:14:15,120 Speaker 2: to be chopped off by the guillotine, was able to 248 00:14:15,160 --> 00:14:21,600 Speaker 2: get her golden crusted bidet in her cell because she 249 00:14:21,680 --> 00:14:23,360 Speaker 2: was that was like one of the comforts that she 250 00:14:23,440 --> 00:14:25,920 Speaker 2: was used to. Apparently she used to travel around with one, 251 00:14:26,040 --> 00:14:28,840 Speaker 2: had one made that would go in her coach. So 252 00:14:28,880 --> 00:14:31,040 Speaker 2: this was very much associated with like kind of the 253 00:14:31,120 --> 00:14:36,080 Speaker 2: upper crust. But then it filtered down to kind of 254 00:14:36,080 --> 00:14:37,400 Speaker 2: everyone eventually, right. 255 00:14:37,840 --> 00:14:44,960 Speaker 3: Well everyone in Europe, yea, and eventually Asia and elsewhere 256 00:14:45,400 --> 00:14:47,920 Speaker 3: everywhere except the United States. 257 00:14:48,360 --> 00:14:50,320 Speaker 2: And with this article does a fantastic job of doing 258 00:14:50,480 --> 00:14:52,840 Speaker 2: is kind of exploring why that might. 259 00:14:52,720 --> 00:15:02,720 Speaker 1: Be okay, real quick time. The first written reference to 260 00:15:03,440 --> 00:15:07,120 Speaker 1: the bidet itself is in seventeen twenty six in Italy. 261 00:15:07,840 --> 00:15:11,200 Speaker 1: But as we know, the first written reference doesn't mean 262 00:15:11,400 --> 00:15:14,360 Speaker 1: it wasn't around, right of course, It just meant that 263 00:15:14,840 --> 00:15:17,520 Speaker 1: we have surviving documentation of someone writing about it. 264 00:15:17,600 --> 00:15:19,560 Speaker 2: Oh and by those days been it was a fancier version. 265 00:15:19,560 --> 00:15:21,880 Speaker 2: It had like a pump with the water that would squirt, 266 00:15:22,200 --> 00:15:24,280 Speaker 2: you know, the more like las you didn't have to 267 00:15:24,280 --> 00:15:26,800 Speaker 2: splash that seems very messy and ineffective. 268 00:15:27,400 --> 00:15:32,160 Speaker 1: So around this time from the seventeen hundreds on Europe 269 00:15:32,200 --> 00:15:36,160 Speaker 1: experiences what we can only call a bidet boom, a 270 00:15:36,200 --> 00:15:37,120 Speaker 1: boom of bidets. 271 00:15:37,200 --> 00:15:39,800 Speaker 2: I love it. It sounds like a just an explosion of 272 00:15:39,840 --> 00:15:41,280 Speaker 2: bidets going everywhere. 273 00:15:41,640 --> 00:15:45,040 Speaker 1: Yes, watch out, they're flying through the air to a 274 00:15:45,120 --> 00:15:48,880 Speaker 1: home near you. And it spread to other social classes 275 00:15:48,920 --> 00:15:51,200 Speaker 1: in France, as you said, Noel, to other countries in 276 00:15:51,240 --> 00:15:55,280 Speaker 1: Western Europe, and then Latin America, the Middle East, Asia, 277 00:15:55,520 --> 00:15:58,280 Speaker 1: but not the US. And there's a weird there's a 278 00:15:58,280 --> 00:16:01,480 Speaker 1: weird reason for that, and we should explore that. You know, 279 00:16:01,520 --> 00:16:03,760 Speaker 1: while we're here at this point in space and time, 280 00:16:04,440 --> 00:16:08,120 Speaker 1: how did the US not jump on the day train? 281 00:16:08,200 --> 00:16:10,800 Speaker 1: How did they not straddle the biday trade? 282 00:16:10,960 --> 00:16:13,400 Speaker 2: Ben. It's a good question because everything we've said up 283 00:16:13,440 --> 00:16:16,360 Speaker 2: to this point makes it sound like a pretty appealing 284 00:16:16,440 --> 00:16:19,720 Speaker 2: train to ride, right. You know, it helps the environment, 285 00:16:20,520 --> 00:16:22,720 Speaker 2: And we didn't even talk about how much water and 286 00:16:22,760 --> 00:16:25,640 Speaker 2: resources are used in making toilet paper and paper products 287 00:16:25,680 --> 00:16:28,840 Speaker 2: in general, right, right, and how much money it costs 288 00:16:28,880 --> 00:16:33,680 Speaker 2: some local and state governments to clean up these disgusting 289 00:16:34,400 --> 00:16:39,600 Speaker 2: blobs of congealed tpe and crap. That are clogging up 290 00:16:39,600 --> 00:16:42,640 Speaker 2: our source systems. And as a bidet user myself, I 291 00:16:42,680 --> 00:16:46,080 Speaker 2: can tell you, sir, it leaves you feeling fresh as 292 00:16:46,080 --> 00:16:46,560 Speaker 2: a daisy. 293 00:16:46,760 --> 00:16:49,160 Speaker 1: Well, they're more hygienic. That's part of it. That's a 294 00:16:49,160 --> 00:16:50,400 Speaker 1: big part of it, too big part. 295 00:16:50,520 --> 00:16:50,760 Speaker 2: Yeah. 296 00:16:50,960 --> 00:16:55,200 Speaker 1: But despite this, despite these advantages and friends and neighbors, 297 00:16:55,280 --> 00:16:57,280 Speaker 1: you can tell that we have our we have a 298 00:16:57,320 --> 00:17:01,479 Speaker 1: pretty strong opinion about this stuff. But despite the advantages 299 00:17:01,520 --> 00:17:07,320 Speaker 1: that were inherently present in biday technology, they were thought 300 00:17:07,359 --> 00:17:11,840 Speaker 1: of as very dirty, filthy things to the US. Why 301 00:17:12,920 --> 00:17:16,880 Speaker 1: because in World War Two we've got Allied troops, US 302 00:17:16,960 --> 00:17:22,639 Speaker 1: troops stationed in Europe, right and they are visiting there's 303 00:17:23,200 --> 00:17:26,520 Speaker 1: no need to use the euphemism here. They are visiting bordellos. 304 00:17:26,520 --> 00:17:31,800 Speaker 1: They're visiting houses of prostitution, and they saw bidets and bathrooms, 305 00:17:31,840 --> 00:17:35,240 Speaker 1: which was a normal thing, but because of the location 306 00:17:35,400 --> 00:17:40,600 Speaker 1: they were at, they started to associate these with sex work. 307 00:17:41,359 --> 00:17:44,679 Speaker 2: Interesting. I feel like it's a little crappy of them 308 00:17:44,720 --> 00:17:50,159 Speaker 2: to judge, boy to judge when they're hanging out in 309 00:17:50,240 --> 00:17:53,359 Speaker 2: the bordellos, like what, they're good enough to pay for sex, 310 00:17:53,440 --> 00:17:57,080 Speaker 2: but they're like freaked out by their strange cleansing implement 311 00:17:58,320 --> 00:17:58,960 Speaker 2: and also. 312 00:17:58,880 --> 00:18:03,720 Speaker 1: The process by which Biday cleanses someone after they have 313 00:18:04,000 --> 00:18:07,560 Speaker 1: used the restroom right or had intercourse or had intercourse. 314 00:18:07,720 --> 00:18:11,560 Speaker 1: Yet it's associated with a sexual aspect because you're washing 315 00:18:11,560 --> 00:18:13,160 Speaker 1: out genitalia, right. 316 00:18:13,119 --> 00:18:16,440 Speaker 2: That's absolutely true. In fact, it was even associated with 317 00:18:16,800 --> 00:18:22,400 Speaker 2: birth control, and birth control in those days equals sin, helen, damnation. 318 00:18:22,760 --> 00:18:25,959 Speaker 1: And we found a great quote from a birth control pioneer, 319 00:18:26,520 --> 00:18:28,440 Speaker 1: Norman Hare in nineteen thirty six. 320 00:18:28,560 --> 00:18:33,359 Speaker 2: Right, yeah, that's right. He says that in Anglo Saxon communities, 321 00:18:33,400 --> 00:18:39,320 Speaker 2: where bathrooms are notoriously cold and joyless rooms, lacking any 322 00:18:39,400 --> 00:18:43,320 Speaker 2: kind of warmth or decor, the very presence of a 323 00:18:43,359 --> 00:18:49,080 Speaker 2: bidet would have been regarded as like a symbol of sin, right. 324 00:18:49,119 --> 00:18:53,040 Speaker 1: Which is so strange because again we see this association 325 00:18:53,160 --> 00:18:59,840 Speaker 1: with hedonism, debauchery, and obscene wealth carrying over from this 326 00:19:00,080 --> 00:19:02,920 Speaker 1: seventeen hundreds to World War two. 327 00:19:03,320 --> 00:19:05,560 Speaker 2: Dude, that's right. This would have been way in like 328 00:19:05,600 --> 00:19:09,240 Speaker 2: the forties. So we've got the evolution of the bidet 329 00:19:09,320 --> 00:19:12,960 Speaker 2: kind of reaching its logical conclusion at this point where 330 00:19:12,960 --> 00:19:15,600 Speaker 2: you've got indoor plumbing at this point, so the bidet 331 00:19:15,640 --> 00:19:18,200 Speaker 2: has moved into the bathroom next to the toilet. It's 332 00:19:18,200 --> 00:19:20,720 Speaker 2: still a separate implement. And that's why a lot of 333 00:19:20,760 --> 00:19:24,280 Speaker 2: Americans when they see them, it's rife for comedy and like, 334 00:19:24,320 --> 00:19:28,520 Speaker 2: you know, euro vacation or somebody, someone ends up drinking 335 00:19:28,520 --> 00:19:31,120 Speaker 2: from the bidet and then making a joke about how, hey, 336 00:19:31,119 --> 00:19:33,520 Speaker 2: pretty cool y'all have water fountains in the bathroom here 337 00:19:33,560 --> 00:19:36,080 Speaker 2: they're kind of low though, Yeah, weird. I forget what that. 338 00:19:36,080 --> 00:19:37,920 Speaker 2: That's definitely in a movie and I can't remember which one. 339 00:19:38,000 --> 00:19:38,960 Speaker 2: Write us and let us know. 340 00:19:39,000 --> 00:19:41,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, people getting squirted in the face and stuff. There's 341 00:19:42,119 --> 00:19:46,919 Speaker 1: another association that bidets had which worked against them, at 342 00:19:47,000 --> 00:19:51,200 Speaker 1: least in the US, and it is tied to the 343 00:19:51,320 --> 00:19:54,320 Speaker 1: misogyny of the time, and that is that they were 344 00:19:54,480 --> 00:19:56,919 Speaker 1: helpful in the process of menstruation. 345 00:19:57,320 --> 00:20:01,000 Speaker 2: That's right, because there were no sanitary products in these days. 346 00:20:01,440 --> 00:20:06,320 Speaker 2: There's actually a really amazing sounding book called Unmentionable, The 347 00:20:06,400 --> 00:20:10,240 Speaker 2: Victorian Lady's Guide to Sex, Marriage, and Manner. So this 348 00:20:10,280 --> 00:20:11,879 Speaker 2: is we're going back a little bit, but this is 349 00:20:11,920 --> 00:20:15,760 Speaker 2: still doesn't get much better than this, and it talks 350 00:20:15,800 --> 00:20:21,800 Speaker 2: about how women to rid themselves of the product of menstruation, 351 00:20:22,000 --> 00:20:26,840 Speaker 2: the blood, would use what they referred to as jelly rags, 352 00:20:27,440 --> 00:20:30,399 Speaker 2: and it was literally just a piece of fabric that 353 00:20:30,440 --> 00:20:33,200 Speaker 2: they would use to physically wipe this area. And that 354 00:20:33,320 --> 00:20:36,920 Speaker 2: just sounds really unpleasant and messy. And the midday would 355 00:20:36,960 --> 00:20:39,800 Speaker 2: give you nice little spritz clean you right off. We 356 00:20:39,920 --> 00:20:42,120 Speaker 2: good to go for at least a little while, right right. 357 00:20:42,240 --> 00:20:46,120 Speaker 1: And so it's strange now when we look back from 358 00:20:46,160 --> 00:20:52,200 Speaker 1: twenty eighteen that the ability to provide a more healthy 359 00:20:52,280 --> 00:20:56,399 Speaker 1: alternative in the process of menstruation was not seen as 360 00:20:56,440 --> 00:20:59,200 Speaker 1: a selling point. It was placed on the same level 361 00:20:59,560 --> 00:21:06,080 Speaker 1: as prostitution or unwanted pregnancy, to be delicate about it, 362 00:21:06,560 --> 00:21:12,800 Speaker 1: and these all became hindrances for the bid day itself 363 00:21:12,880 --> 00:21:17,200 Speaker 1: because they were inherently being linked in the American consumer's 364 00:21:17,320 --> 00:21:21,040 Speaker 1: mind with a bunch of things that at the time 365 00:21:21,440 --> 00:21:23,600 Speaker 1: people just did not speak of in public. 366 00:21:23,880 --> 00:21:25,639 Speaker 2: We're kind of jumping all over the place a little bit, 367 00:21:25,680 --> 00:21:28,000 Speaker 2: which is fine, that's what we do. But if we 368 00:21:28,040 --> 00:21:31,520 Speaker 2: go back to nineteen twenty eight, according to this amazing 369 00:21:31,680 --> 00:21:36,080 Speaker 2: Atlantic article, there was actually a patent for a design 370 00:21:36,560 --> 00:21:39,280 Speaker 2: that's very similar to what we see in bidets today 371 00:21:39,640 --> 00:21:42,920 Speaker 2: by our buddy John Harvey Kellogg. You know, the corn 372 00:21:42,920 --> 00:21:48,120 Speaker 2: flakes and masturbation fame. Uh huh, corn flakes anti masturbation fame. 373 00:21:48,160 --> 00:21:51,800 Speaker 2: Excuse me, Well, he would he would take exception. He's 374 00:21:51,840 --> 00:21:54,480 Speaker 2: also a big fan of animas, which I think we 375 00:21:54,560 --> 00:21:58,960 Speaker 2: mentioned we did earlier episode Yogurts I believe. Yeah. Yeah, 376 00:21:59,080 --> 00:22:02,280 Speaker 2: weird guy, but forward thinking when it comes to washing 377 00:22:02,320 --> 00:22:02,680 Speaker 2: your butt. 378 00:22:02,720 --> 00:22:06,040 Speaker 1: And he was American, Yeah, he was American, and his 379 00:22:06,720 --> 00:22:11,280 Speaker 1: very particular beliefs about how one would pursue personal health 380 00:22:11,840 --> 00:22:15,080 Speaker 1: obviously led him to design this thing. Now, there's no 381 00:22:15,280 --> 00:22:19,320 Speaker 1: two ways about it. Harvey Kellogg may have been really eccentric, 382 00:22:19,400 --> 00:22:23,480 Speaker 1: but he was also a brilliant person, so he would 383 00:22:23,560 --> 00:22:27,879 Speaker 1: have if the bidet had not already been invented centuries before, 384 00:22:28,440 --> 00:22:31,280 Speaker 1: he would have invented it in the US. 385 00:22:31,400 --> 00:22:33,000 Speaker 2: Oh dude, but I'm looking at this pattern right now. 386 00:22:33,040 --> 00:22:35,760 Speaker 2: It's a drawing. Yeah, it's just called J. H. Kellogg 387 00:22:35,960 --> 00:22:39,440 Speaker 2: anal douche. Yeah, sounds like it's this title and it's 388 00:22:39,800 --> 00:22:44,560 Speaker 2: it's it's like a nozzle. Sorry about John Harvey Kellogg 389 00:22:44,760 --> 00:22:46,080 Speaker 2: anal douche. 390 00:22:46,200 --> 00:22:48,560 Speaker 1: And it's a it's a it's a nozzle. 391 00:22:48,640 --> 00:22:50,880 Speaker 2: It's a nozzle that it kind of splits off from 392 00:22:50,920 --> 00:22:52,639 Speaker 2: the water supply that you would see. And it's the 393 00:22:52,640 --> 00:22:56,080 Speaker 2: same as and hasn't changed much, right, indoor plumbing. And 394 00:22:56,160 --> 00:22:58,359 Speaker 2: it goes up and kind of out from underneath the 395 00:22:58,359 --> 00:23:00,800 Speaker 2: toilet seat, and there's just a little fritz are nozzle 396 00:23:00,960 --> 00:23:03,359 Speaker 2: and you have a control with a valve, and it 397 00:23:03,760 --> 00:23:07,000 Speaker 2: fritz is you. And you might ask, isn't it gonna 398 00:23:07,040 --> 00:23:10,520 Speaker 2: go everywhere? No, sir or madam or whomever you're it's 399 00:23:10,600 --> 00:23:13,440 Speaker 2: blocked by your butt, goes in your butt. That's true. 400 00:23:13,880 --> 00:23:17,600 Speaker 1: Now, of course, we should also point out that these 401 00:23:17,880 --> 00:23:22,520 Speaker 1: things were not advertised as a complete replacement for the 402 00:23:22,640 --> 00:23:26,399 Speaker 1: use of toilet paper. They were in addition to so 403 00:23:26,440 --> 00:23:28,560 Speaker 1: you use much less toilet paper because one of the 404 00:23:28,600 --> 00:23:31,880 Speaker 1: questions people would have is how do you dry yourself off? 405 00:23:32,200 --> 00:23:32,360 Speaker 2: Right? 406 00:23:32,480 --> 00:23:35,760 Speaker 1: That's dab. That's where that stuff comes into play. Yeah, 407 00:23:35,800 --> 00:23:38,000 Speaker 1: and you use so much less toilet paper. But still, 408 00:23:38,040 --> 00:23:40,960 Speaker 1: as we're in the twentieth century, early to mid twentieth century, 409 00:23:41,320 --> 00:23:45,600 Speaker 1: the days are seen as hedonistic European and I hope 410 00:23:45,600 --> 00:23:48,080 Speaker 1: you can hear the italics when we say it that way, 411 00:23:49,440 --> 00:23:53,880 Speaker 1: like ou la la right, exact European, and they seemed 412 00:23:54,080 --> 00:23:58,439 Speaker 1: set to remain a thoroughly Unamerican thing, but that didn't 413 00:23:58,480 --> 00:24:01,800 Speaker 1: stop people from trying to make bidet waves. There was 414 00:24:01,800 --> 00:24:05,400 Speaker 1: a guy named Arnold Cohen who was the founder of 415 00:24:05,440 --> 00:24:09,240 Speaker 1: the American Bidet Company because he created a specific type 416 00:24:09,240 --> 00:24:12,840 Speaker 1: of bidet for his father who was having some health problems. 417 00:24:12,359 --> 00:24:15,959 Speaker 2: Some memorhoids perhaps or rashes. Yeah. Yeah, where you can 418 00:24:16,000 --> 00:24:20,919 Speaker 2: get these like anth calm fishers that you can get 419 00:24:21,000 --> 00:24:25,800 Speaker 2: from having, you know, being unclean down there. It's bad times. 420 00:24:26,760 --> 00:24:31,920 Speaker 1: And he ultimately had a very difficult time with this, 421 00:24:32,440 --> 00:24:35,840 Speaker 1: even though he was an experienced, veteran man in the 422 00:24:35,920 --> 00:24:39,240 Speaker 1: advertising industry. No matter what he did, he couldn't really 423 00:24:39,280 --> 00:24:43,879 Speaker 1: seem to get this off the ground. And in bathrooms 424 00:24:43,920 --> 00:24:44,600 Speaker 1: across America. 425 00:24:44,680 --> 00:24:45,800 Speaker 2: We're in the sixties at this point. 426 00:24:45,880 --> 00:24:48,320 Speaker 1: We're in the sixties, Yes, thank you, in nineteen sixty four, 427 00:24:48,359 --> 00:24:51,119 Speaker 1: and he did some out of the box stuff. He 428 00:24:51,200 --> 00:24:55,600 Speaker 1: went on his own initiative. He installed hundreds or thousands 429 00:24:55,640 --> 00:24:57,200 Speaker 1: of these all over New York. 430 00:24:57,680 --> 00:25:01,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, but unfortunately, this is one man going up against 431 00:25:01,160 --> 00:25:04,080 Speaker 2: big toilet paper, which is a thing. It is whenny 432 00:25:04,119 --> 00:25:06,320 Speaker 2: can we hear some stats about how much toilet paper 433 00:25:06,600 --> 00:25:09,200 Speaker 2: is sold, how much money is generated from toilet paper 434 00:25:09,240 --> 00:25:09,840 Speaker 2: in this country? 435 00:25:10,040 --> 00:25:12,160 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, because we had the stats about how much 436 00:25:12,200 --> 00:25:14,240 Speaker 1: is used. I don't know how much is Yeah, let's 437 00:25:14,240 --> 00:25:15,679 Speaker 1: put some financial numbers on that. 438 00:25:15,920 --> 00:25:19,480 Speaker 2: Dude, this is insane. Okay. So Sharman Ultrasoft, which is 439 00:25:19,520 --> 00:25:21,639 Speaker 2: you know, you know, you know Sharman. They've been around 440 00:25:21,680 --> 00:25:23,560 Speaker 2: for a long time. They got a lot of brand recognition. 441 00:25:23,800 --> 00:25:26,280 Speaker 2: They're only the third most popular brand of toilet paper 442 00:25:26,600 --> 00:25:31,879 Speaker 2: in sales. They are Sharman Ultrasoft variety made more than 443 00:25:31,920 --> 00:25:36,000 Speaker 2: a billion dollars alone in twenty seventeen. Wow, the most 444 00:25:36,080 --> 00:25:41,800 Speaker 2: popular private label made one point seven billion dollars in 445 00:25:41,840 --> 00:25:45,760 Speaker 2: twenty seventeen. So when we say big toilet paper, we 446 00:25:45,800 --> 00:25:46,439 Speaker 2: are not kidding. 447 00:25:46,520 --> 00:25:53,240 Speaker 1: It's a billion dollar, booming business but belligerately opposed bidets. Yes, 448 00:25:53,480 --> 00:25:57,879 Speaker 1: oh good, oh thanks man. Thanks, So we can tell 449 00:25:57,960 --> 00:26:01,640 Speaker 1: from those statistics, which are our really recent twenty seventeen 450 00:26:01,680 --> 00:26:04,600 Speaker 1: you said, right, yes, sir, So we can tell that 451 00:26:04,640 --> 00:26:08,200 Speaker 1: the battle between bidets and toilet paper did not work 452 00:26:08,240 --> 00:26:12,359 Speaker 1: out for bidets back in the sixties in the US. 453 00:26:13,080 --> 00:26:15,760 Speaker 1: But you know where it caught on you where Cohen 454 00:26:16,000 --> 00:26:18,080 Speaker 1: did find success for the American Bidet company. 455 00:26:18,160 --> 00:26:23,920 Speaker 2: You tell Japan. Ah, that's right, because the Japanese were 456 00:26:23,960 --> 00:26:28,240 Speaker 2: importing a lot of American toilets because original Japanese toilets 457 00:26:28,280 --> 00:26:31,040 Speaker 2: were really uncomfortable. They were super low to the ground. 458 00:26:31,080 --> 00:26:33,320 Speaker 2: You had to squat, which now they've got these squatty 459 00:26:33,320 --> 00:26:34,840 Speaker 2: potties and they say that it's good for you. But 460 00:26:35,000 --> 00:26:37,600 Speaker 2: I don't know about all that. But the Japanese, being 461 00:26:37,840 --> 00:26:43,160 Speaker 2: very innovative people kind of really took that bidet design 462 00:26:43,680 --> 00:26:47,200 Speaker 2: that Kellogg patented so long ago and took it to 463 00:26:47,240 --> 00:26:49,960 Speaker 2: the next level. There's this company called Toto that makes 464 00:26:50,000 --> 00:26:53,360 Speaker 2: a product called the Washlet, which is a remote control 465 00:26:53,680 --> 00:26:58,040 Speaker 2: bidet with a heated seat that can be hot or cold. 466 00:26:58,640 --> 00:27:01,480 Speaker 2: The bedet stream can change directions you wanted to go 467 00:27:01,560 --> 00:27:06,119 Speaker 2: counterclockwise or clockwise, or give you a nice direct jet 468 00:27:06,280 --> 00:27:08,960 Speaker 2: kind of water pic vibe. But you can do that. 469 00:27:09,000 --> 00:27:12,399 Speaker 2: And these things are like thousands of dollars or some depends. 470 00:27:12,400 --> 00:27:15,000 Speaker 2: They're like the you know, luxury toilet. 471 00:27:14,640 --> 00:27:17,720 Speaker 1: Seats, but the bottom line one is maybe five hundred dollars, 472 00:27:17,760 --> 00:27:20,359 Speaker 1: which is still very expensive, very expense in comparison to 473 00:27:20,400 --> 00:27:21,600 Speaker 1: a regular commode. 474 00:27:21,920 --> 00:27:24,760 Speaker 2: Or you know, the amazing product from our pals at Tushie. 475 00:27:24,960 --> 00:27:26,239 Speaker 2: There we go, there we go. 476 00:27:31,520 --> 00:27:37,640 Speaker 1: So we see that this technology originates in France and 477 00:27:38,080 --> 00:27:42,960 Speaker 1: proliferates throughout the world. But we also see that this 478 00:27:44,040 --> 00:27:47,600 Speaker 1: partially because of the cultural associations, I think more and 479 00:27:47,640 --> 00:27:51,760 Speaker 1: more frequently because of the price point. But days have 480 00:27:52,000 --> 00:27:56,879 Speaker 1: been you know, a distant second place in the story 481 00:27:56,880 --> 00:27:58,640 Speaker 1: of sanitation here in the US. 482 00:27:58,720 --> 00:28:00,439 Speaker 2: Yeah, you know how much toilet paper was sold in 483 00:28:00,480 --> 00:28:03,480 Speaker 2: Europe in twenty seventeen, much less than in the US 484 00:28:03,520 --> 00:28:07,720 Speaker 2: thirteen mil, relatively, dropping the dropping the chamber bucket. 485 00:28:07,400 --> 00:28:09,480 Speaker 1: Because we're talking there, we go, dropping the chamber five 486 00:28:09,480 --> 00:28:11,760 Speaker 1: because we're talking about a continent there that's not just 487 00:28:11,760 --> 00:28:15,600 Speaker 1: the country, that's Europe entire. And so this catches us 488 00:28:15,680 --> 00:28:19,920 Speaker 1: up to the modern day. And there's an excellent article 489 00:28:20,040 --> 00:28:23,840 Speaker 1: on our website HowStuffWorks dot Com by Alison Cooper called 490 00:28:24,000 --> 00:28:28,280 Speaker 1: the bidet Is it making a comeback? And it turns out, 491 00:28:28,640 --> 00:28:30,680 Speaker 1: as you and I have been talking about off air nol, 492 00:28:31,400 --> 00:28:35,720 Speaker 1: it turns out that, uh, the bidat may actually have 493 00:28:35,840 --> 00:28:37,320 Speaker 1: its time to shine here in the. 494 00:28:37,280 --> 00:28:39,120 Speaker 2: States, to shine up our buttholes. 495 00:28:40,240 --> 00:28:43,040 Speaker 1: Yeah, man, that's that's the truth of the matter. And look, 496 00:28:43,080 --> 00:28:44,600 Speaker 1: we know this can sound. 497 00:28:46,080 --> 00:28:46,840 Speaker 2: We know this. 498 00:28:48,360 --> 00:28:51,520 Speaker 1: There we go, there we go, Oh my god, Well, done. 499 00:28:52,360 --> 00:28:55,360 Speaker 1: We know this can sound a little bit strange, but 500 00:28:55,520 --> 00:28:59,800 Speaker 1: the facts, the objective statistics, are on the side of 501 00:28:59,840 --> 00:29:05,400 Speaker 1: the argument that bidets are gaining ground here in the US. 502 00:29:05,520 --> 00:29:09,280 Speaker 1: And I think a huge part of that is because 503 00:29:10,120 --> 00:29:14,040 Speaker 1: for decades I assumed, and I think most everybody assumed 504 00:29:14,120 --> 00:29:18,480 Speaker 1: rightly so, that you would have to remodel your house, 505 00:29:18,520 --> 00:29:21,280 Speaker 1: you would have to install a new water line to 506 00:29:21,400 --> 00:29:23,200 Speaker 1: run to that biday, right, that's right. 507 00:29:23,240 --> 00:29:27,560 Speaker 2: But now thanks to our pals Tushy, he's got a 508 00:29:27,640 --> 00:29:32,280 Speaker 2: super low profile bidet attachment that has gained popularity. And 509 00:29:32,320 --> 00:29:35,640 Speaker 2: it's actually very similar to that patent from our buddy 510 00:29:35,680 --> 00:29:38,360 Speaker 2: Kellogg from nineteen thirty. It just splits off from the 511 00:29:38,400 --> 00:29:42,080 Speaker 2: existing water line. And look, we know, we know they're 512 00:29:42,360 --> 00:29:45,880 Speaker 2: sponsoring the show, but I really do It's a great 513 00:29:45,920 --> 00:29:47,920 Speaker 2: thing to have in your house. I'm a fan, and 514 00:29:47,960 --> 00:29:51,400 Speaker 2: I really hope the midday Revolution continues on full force 515 00:29:51,440 --> 00:29:53,560 Speaker 2: and I'll be leading the charge. My friend, I don't 516 00:29:53,600 --> 00:29:54,080 Speaker 2: know about you. 517 00:29:54,200 --> 00:29:58,800 Speaker 1: It's a brand new beday in America. We got there, Noel, 518 00:29:58,960 --> 00:29:59,560 Speaker 1: we did, man. 519 00:30:00,240 --> 00:30:00,840 Speaker 2: We hope that. 520 00:30:01,480 --> 00:30:05,120 Speaker 1: I think it's fairly obvious to everyone that we we 521 00:30:05,320 --> 00:30:09,480 Speaker 1: enjoyed ourselves so much on this episode. I'm Casey. I 522 00:30:09,520 --> 00:30:13,120 Speaker 1: am sure that you have cut out several solid minutes 523 00:30:13,160 --> 00:30:14,560 Speaker 1: of us just laughing at each. 524 00:30:14,440 --> 00:30:19,160 Speaker 2: Other, just saying but just saying butts. But we hang it. 525 00:30:19,240 --> 00:30:24,000 Speaker 1: However, we hope you enjoyed this episode as much as 526 00:30:24,040 --> 00:30:29,000 Speaker 1: we enjoyed exploring it. And again, as funny and silly 527 00:30:29,160 --> 00:30:32,200 Speaker 1: as it may seem, as taboo as it may feel 528 00:30:32,280 --> 00:30:36,160 Speaker 1: to discuss these things, the truth of the matter is that, 529 00:30:36,240 --> 00:30:40,520 Speaker 1: for multiple reasons, the role of toilet paper, the role 530 00:30:40,520 --> 00:30:42,160 Speaker 1: of personal sanitation. 531 00:30:41,880 --> 00:30:42,840 Speaker 2: Roll of toilet paper. 532 00:30:42,960 --> 00:30:45,960 Speaker 1: Oh I just walked into that one it. Oh man, 533 00:30:46,160 --> 00:30:49,400 Speaker 1: thank you, No, I wouldn't have noticed that one these 534 00:30:49,800 --> 00:30:55,360 Speaker 1: these various factors come into play in a tremendously important way, 535 00:30:55,480 --> 00:30:57,960 Speaker 1: not just environmentalism, but also your own personal health. 536 00:30:58,040 --> 00:31:00,720 Speaker 2: I think those US versus European to the paper sales 537 00:31:00,760 --> 00:31:02,520 Speaker 2: stats speak volumes. 538 00:31:04,640 --> 00:31:09,160 Speaker 1: So let us know what your experiences are like. We 539 00:31:09,240 --> 00:31:12,120 Speaker 1: have a lot of listeners from around the world. I'd 540 00:31:12,120 --> 00:31:15,320 Speaker 1: also be interested to hear from folks in Australia because 541 00:31:15,320 --> 00:31:19,280 Speaker 1: we didn't really explore Australia's sanitation in this episode. 542 00:31:19,400 --> 00:31:21,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, and does the water really turn down the drain 543 00:31:21,520 --> 00:31:24,200 Speaker 2: in the other direction? Let us know you can write 544 00:31:24,240 --> 00:31:27,120 Speaker 2: to us at Ridiculous at HowStuffWorks dot com. You can 545 00:31:27,160 --> 00:31:29,360 Speaker 2: hit us up on our Facebook page, or better yeah, 546 00:31:29,440 --> 00:31:32,600 Speaker 2: join our Facebook group, the Ridiculous Historians, where we get 547 00:31:32,600 --> 00:31:34,880 Speaker 2: into all kinds of fun stuff. 548 00:31:35,680 --> 00:31:39,960 Speaker 1: We'd like to thank Casey Pegram for yet again saving 549 00:31:40,040 --> 00:31:43,400 Speaker 1: the show. We'd like to thank Alison Cooper and John 550 00:31:43,600 --> 00:31:45,800 Speaker 1: Donovan over at how Stuff Works. 551 00:31:45,600 --> 00:31:50,920 Speaker 2: And Loriel Dove while we're at it, she didn't really 552 00:31:50,960 --> 00:31:54,560 Speaker 2: write anything today, but such a cool sound cue I'm sorry. 553 00:31:54,680 --> 00:31:58,760 Speaker 1: We also want to thank Alex Williams who composed our track, 554 00:31:59,440 --> 00:32:02,680 Speaker 1: and most importantly, as we as we'd love to say 555 00:32:02,720 --> 00:32:08,040 Speaker 1: every episode, we'd like to thank you specifically you. 556 00:32:07,440 --> 00:32:08,479 Speaker 2: Buy does she be d by? 557 00:32:08,600 --> 00:32:12,080 Speaker 1: Does oh nolsa? 558 00:32:12,200 --> 00:32:13,200 Speaker 2: Subliminal? You like that? 559 00:32:13,360 --> 00:32:16,240 Speaker 1: Yeah, you're proselytizing. I know that's it for now, but 560 00:32:16,320 --> 00:32:20,080 Speaker 1: stay tuned for our next episode where we cover very 561 00:32:20,360 --> 00:32:22,760 Speaker 1: strange stories of voter fraud. 562 00:32:23,120 --> 00:32:27,280 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, we're talking election fraud in the eighteen hundreds. 563 00:32:27,360 --> 00:32:31,000 Speaker 2: That includes stuff ranging from all kinds of bad behavior, kidnapping, 564 00:32:31,560 --> 00:32:33,600 Speaker 2: forced intoxication. 565 00:32:33,440 --> 00:32:37,320 Speaker 1: And my favorite one repeat voting in disguise. 566 00:32:37,880 --> 00:32:40,760 Speaker 2: We can get a trench coat you can't make this 567 00:32:40,760 --> 00:32:43,440 Speaker 2: stuff up, and a fake mustache. Yes, yes, we'll see 568 00:32:43,440 --> 00:32:51,480 Speaker 2: then ridiculous historians. For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the 569 00:32:51,480 --> 00:32:54,719 Speaker 2: iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your 570 00:32:54,720 --> 00:32:55,520 Speaker 2: favorite shows.