For a decade, Bob Villa served as the original host of This Old House, beginning in 1979. Since then, this PBS home improvement show has become a cult classic that is still in production after 45 years. To say that they are the industry standard for trusted home renovation advice is an understatement. So, when they review something as basic as paper towels, we might want to sit up and take notice.
In March 2024, they released their findings after testing several brands of paper towels for absorbency, durability, streak prevention, and perforation (how easily does it tears from the roll). In fourth place is Kleenex Multi-Fold Paper Rolls. The third-place ribbon goes to Presto! Flex-a-size Paper Towels. Second place was awarded to Brawny. And first place goes to – drum roll, please! – Bounty Quick Size Paper Towels.1
It’s hard to imagine that there’s much interesting when talking about paper towels. However, a bit of studying reveals that paper towels went through a lot of transition before becoming the product we know and use today. It all began with changing trends in 1907.
Some of us still remember the cloth towels in restrooms, usually in the old gas stations. Though rare, they were still around in the 60s and 70s and looked original! Prior to 1907, that’s all that was available. Scientists discovered that the towels served as a breeding ground for germs. In 1907, Scott Paper Company came up with a product that would be known as the first paper towels. “However, more research and development was needed before the product could be mass produced. William E. Corbin, Henry Chase, and Harold Titus eventually released Nibroc Paper Towels country-wide in 1922. In 1931, the Scott Paper Company released their own design, a paper towel roll that could be used in kitchens in addition to bathrooms.”2
1957 was the year that Proctor & Gamble (P&G) decided to enter the paper towel market. They bought Charmin which had a product called Charmin Towels, a one-ply paper towel. After nearly a decade of research, P&G found that the consumer was more interested in absorbency than softness when it came to their paper towels.
“In 1965, P&G discontinued Charmin Towels and released Bounty Paper Towels in their place. The new, 2-ply Bounty Paper Towels were thicker, softer, and more absorbent than other products on the market and were quickly embraced by the public. But the innovations didn’t stop there. In 1982, P&G Senior Inventor Paul Trokhan developed a proprietary technology that allowed Bounty Paper Towels to be even more absorbent, helping to make the words of the brand’s famous slogan (“The Quicker Picker Upper”) true. Trokhan has explained in interviews that there are “micro-regions of the towel that are focused on strength and other micro-regions that are focused on softness.” His innovative, invisible-to-the-naked-eye design helped make Bounty even more popular and catapulted it into the iconic brand it is today.”3
What in the world does any of this have to do with the Bible?!? Well, I wonder how many of us are Bounty Believers?
Galatians 6:1 says, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” And Hebrews 12:12-13 says, “Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; (13) And make straight paths for your feet, lest that 
which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.”
Christians ought to be the quicker picker uppers!
When we see a brother or sister struggling, do we rush to their side, willing to help? Or do we keep our distance, fearful of some spiritual leprosy they might transmit? We are not called to abandon and avoid them. We are called to help.
Job had a “friend” named Eliphaz. Despite all the poor advice he gave, he did afford Job a compliment. May it be said of us as well. “Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. (4) Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.” (Job 4:3-4)
1https://www.thisoldhouse.com/kitchens/22373820/best-paper-towels
2https://www.backthenhistory.com/articles/the-history-of-paper-towels
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