Arthur H. Scott, Inventor, Paper Towel

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Arthur Hoyt Scott was the inventor of the throw-away paper towel and the second president of Scott Paper Company.

His parents were Edward Irvin "E.I." or Irvin Scott and Sarah Francis "Fannie" Hoyt. His paternal grandparents were Alexander Hamilton Scott and Sophronia Wood Seymour. His maternal grandparents were Rev. Zerah Taylor Hoyt and Sarah Mariah Foote.

His wife was Edith Wilder, and their only child was Eleanor, wife of Philip Exton Guckes.

His father, Edward Irvin Scott, founded Scott Paper Company with a brother, and Arthur succeeded him as second president. They were marketing geniuses, advertising toilet paper and other products, formerly thought of as unmentionables. As president, Arthur Hoyt Scott made Scott Paper Company into the largest paper producing company in the world. In 1926, they sold 67,000,000 rolls of ScotTissue products in one year. But perhaps his greatest achievement, was in improving the health of the country.

In the early 1900s, there was a severe flu epidemic in Philadelphia. Arthur heard that a teacher had cut paper for her students to blow their noses on, so he invented a throw-away paper towel. This story was told to the family by Arthur's daughter and the resulting invention is supported by his patent application #1141495 of Nov. 10, 1910 (issued June 1, 1915). It noted, "My object is to embody in the towel, cleanliness and antiseptic qualities, coupled with such cheapness that the towel may be destroyed after use. The towels are preferably formed in rolls, so that only one towel at a time may be exposed and detached, the roll form in which the towels are arranged acting to protect the unused towels from absorbing moisture and gases from the atmosphere and where a long,exposure might permit the absorption of such objectionable elements before the towel would be used."

This became the first paper towel, and it was marketed as a medical device for sanitation.

The inventions of the paper towel and throw away ScotTissues were two of most important contributions to our health. Encouraging the washing of hands by providing a disposable towel, minimized the spreading of germs and a multitude of diseases.

His many patents include: Supporting Device for Packages - #353850 Paper Towel Improvement - #570248 Toilet Paper - Serving Fixture - #733281 Toilet-Paper Improvement - #733282 Toilet-Paper Improvement -#733283 Sandpapering Machine Improvement - #765103 Toilet-Paper Package Improvement - #765599 Package of Toilet Paper Improvement - #843771 Machine for Tightening Rolls of Toilet Paper - #846847 Cabinet for Dispensing Toilet-Paper Improvement - #863662 Cabinet for Dispensing Toilet Paper Improvement - #930094 Cabinet for Dispensing Toilet Paper Improvement - #936047 Paper Towel Improvement - #1141495

Arthur Hoyt Scott also invented a bicycle called the Great Scott Bicycle.

In addition, Arthur and wife Edith were horticulturalists. Arthur Hoyt Scott was one of the founders of the American Peony Society and was active in the American Iris Society. He hybridized many of his own varieties. One of his personal philosphies was "if a person was interested in horticulture and loved flowers, then he had to be a good man."

The Scott Arboretum at Swarthmore College was named in his honor, and the prestigious Arthur Hoyt Scott Medal is presented by the college on an annual basis.

Note: The Scotts are buried next to their Guckes grandson, who died at birth.

Family links:

Parents:

 Edward Irvin Scott (1846 - 1931)

 Sarah Frances Hoyt Scott (1847 - 1916)

Spouse:

 Edith Wilder Scott (1875 - 1960)*

Children:

 Eleanor Wilder Scott Guckes (1902 - 1993)*