Jul 16, 2007 8:22 pm US/Eastern
Electronic Toilet Paper Dispenser Smells Foul
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
If you're one of the many that could do without that ultra-thin industrial toilet paper found in most public bathrooms these days, prepare to flush all your preconceived notions about toilet paper and how much of it you use at one time.
That's right, what if we told you, from now on, you'd only get five little sheets. Sound insufficient enough?
Well, it may be a reality in a restroom near you. We've already got electronic sinks, electronic soap dispensers, electronic paper towel dispensers, and the ever-so-popular electronic flusher.
Introducing the new electronic toilet tissue dispenser, for your own bathroom or for away-from-home bathrooms. The dispenser spits out five little squares, which is about 20 inches of paper if you're counting.
Most of the New Yorkers CBS 2 HD talked to seemed to agree that five squares just doesn't get the job done, but officials from the company that makes the gadget, Kimberly Clark Professional, seem to think that's plenty, and that its benefits will bowl you over..
"You will reduce your consumption by 20 percent when compared to manual systems," a company spokesperson tells CBS 2 HD.
The company says its dispenser is also more sanitary than the manual ones, and in a place like a public bathroom, that can only be a good thing.
Perhaps, but the thought of using squares sparingly may remind some of the toilet paper tumult depicted in a famous episode of "Seinfeld," when Elaine accidentally stepped into a paperless stall. In need of a few squares, she politely asked the woman in the stall next to her to spare just three squares, but was met with a rude response: "I don't have a square to spare! I can't spare a square!"
So will five squares be enough?
"I'd have to manage," one New Yorker said.
Added another: "I'd break the thing and get more, if that's possible."
Fortunately, there's no need for that Kimberly Clark officials say. If you just put your hand out in front of the dispenser, it will give you as much as you want, but only at five sheets at a time.
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