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. Toilet Paper Roll Patent - Seth Wheeler Patent - Bathroom Poster - Toilet Printable - Patent Poster. PingusPrintables. The ageold question of whether toilet paper should sit under or over the roll has finally been solved. How? By a 124-year-old patent from 22 December 1891.