` :Newer ``wax paper`` uses paraffin. I find a reference to Prof James F, Babcock recommending paraffine for making wax paper in 1867, cited in an 1876 journal: .  says it was patented in 1877 by ``New York Parties`` and that it was used  by 1883 to wrap ``candy, butter, cheese, provisions, tobacco, soap, druggists' supplies, kid gloves, hardware and other articles which it is wished to keep air and moisture tight..`` Productiion had expanded from 14,500 reams in 1878 to 350,000 reams in 1883.   `