The answer to the contested question of "should a toilet paper roll face over or under when on the holder?" is answered. The answer is it should face OVER.A quirky little piece of the Empire State's history, the first toilet paper patent was given out to a New York business man back in 1891. The inventor of perforated toilet paper Seth Wheeler illustrated his new and futuristic creation with the paper going up and over the roll. I'll set the top one to roll TP forward (like the patent shows) and the bottom one to roll the TP in the opposite direction. Recycle your toilet paper roll and paper towel tubes. Toilet roll tubes and paper towel roll tubes are great to mix in with your organics. May include: A yellowed vintage patent drawing of a toilet paper roll with the title. Item in the photo is in Primary color: Gold Parchment.