The most important detail is that Wheeler’s patent never explicitly states that toilet paper must hang over the front. His written description concentrates on the perforations and how they allow sheets to separate cleanly. The illustration shows one arrangement, but it was included to explain the invention rather than establish bathroom rules. This distinction is important because a technical drawing does not necessarily reveal an inventor’s personal preference.
Even more interestingly, other patents associated with Wheeler have been interpreted as showing different arrangements. This means the famous illustration cannot provide a completely definitive answer. The historical evidence is fascinating, but the debate remains open.
