In today’s world, sanitary pads (SP) are a common item. But have you ever wondered when they first appeared and who invented them? And what did women use for absorption before the advent of SP?
During their menstrual cycle or after childbirth and certain surgeries, women typically rely on sanitary pads. Due to their high absorbency, these products have become essential in modern life. However, not everyone knows their origins or the inventor behind them.
In prehistoric times, women dreaded their menstrual days. With the knowledge of that era, people could only use leaves, moss, and animal fur for absorption. Moving to the time of Ancient Egypt, primitive tampons began to emerge. These were small bags woven from rush fibers, known for their high absorbency.
Tampons are believed to have originated in Ancient Egypt. (Illustration).
The Greeks used gauze to absorb menstrual flow. A Greek mathematician named Hypatia, to fend off unwanted attention, even threw menstrual cloths at pursuers.
The Chinese also used gauze. After each use, the cloth would be washed, dried, and reused. The term “on the rag” refers to women during their menstrual period.
By the 19th century, Norway introduced the first sanitary pad, featuring a design with a pad and straps for ease of use. Notably, the inspiration came from a device used to stop bleeding on the battlefield by politician Benjamin Franklin. Yet, this was still a reusable item; disposable versions would not appear for some time.
The first primitive sanitary pads appeared in Norway. (Historical photo).
In 1917, Kimberly-Clark created the Cellucotton wound dressings – absorbent material made from wood pulp. These became very convenient for first aid due to their quick absorbency, easy availability, and low cost. From then on, this material was used to create sanitary pads for women.
In 1920, Kotex officially launched, marking a new turning point in sanitary pad history. However, at that time, they were relatively expensive, accessible mainly to the upper class. Lower-class individuals and those in poorer countries continued using traditional methods during their menstrual cycles.
The original sanitary pad was created in 1971. (Historical photo).
In 1971, sanitary pads featuring an adhesive strip for easy application were officially introduced. Women no longer faced the same struggles as before when their menstrual periods arrived. Years later, sanitary pads became more popular and affordable, allowing more women access to them.
