A Brief History of the Disposable Diaper (2024)

FAQs

What is the history of disposable diapers? ›

Disposable diapers were developed simultaneously in Europe and North America between the 1930s and 1950s, with most progress taking place after World War II. Technological advances such as the development of more soft and absorbent materials propelled the disposable diaper to a new level.

She pulled down her shower curtain, cut it into pieces, and sewed it into a waterproof diaper cover with snaps instead of safety pins. That led to a diaper cover made from breathable parachute cloth, which had an insert for an absorbent diaper panel. Donovan named it the “Boater.”

Origin of the word

In British English, the word nappy originally came from the 'nap' of cloth. However, in American English the term 'diaper' is used. The word 'diaper' was originally the term for a small pattern of repeated geometric shapes. Later, it was used to describe white cotton or linen cloth with this pattern.

During World War II, the increase of working mothers brought the need for the "diaper service". Fresh cotton diapers would be delivered on an as-needed basis. In 1946, a Westport, Connecticut homemaker named Marion Donovan, invented the "Boater", a waterproof covering for cloth diapers.

The Earliest Diapers

Babies may have been wrapped with milkweed leaf, animal skins, moss, linens, and other natural resources to help protect them from the elements, and prevent disease from the spread of germs. In Europe, the act of swaddling served as a form of diaper. Linen was wrapped about a babies limbs and body.

1975. Baby care in the United States is costly. A pack of 204 Pampers baby-dry diapers retails for $39.94 at Walmart. In 1975 dollars, $10 would cover a pack of diapers today and allow for some pocket change to go back and grab another smaller package on top of that.

Like many famous inventors, Marion Donovan (1917-1998) was originally mocked for her most significant invention, but she succeeded in revolutionizing the infant care industry by inventing the disposable diaper. Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1917, Marion O'Brien grew up surrounded by machinery and invention.

1948: CHUX, the first mass-marketed disposable diaper from Johnson & Johnson, launches in the US. 1961: Procter & Gamble introduces Pampers. 1968: “Kimbies” by Kimberly-Clark hits store shelves. 1978: Kimberly-Clark replaces Kimbies with Huggies.

NAPPY Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com. nappy¹. noun (1)

The British term 'nappy' is taken from the word 'napkin'. In British English a nappy is what Americans call a diaper, when applied to a baby (the adult version is an incontinence pad).

What is diaper short for? ›

Today, nappy is short for baby napkin. The word 'diaper' is used in North America and Canada and comes from the Old French word diaprewhich translates to “ornamental cloth”. This term refers to “the act of putting a small pattern on a cloth that was mostly white”.

In the early 1800s, a cloth diaper was a square or rectangle of linen, cotton flannel, or stockinet that was folded into a rectangular shape, and knotted around the baby's bottom. These were often hung to dry, if they were only wet, but seldom washed.

1948: Johnson & Johnson introduces first mass-marketed disposable diaper in the U.S. 1961: Procter & Gamble unveils Pampers. 1970: American babies go through 350,000 tons of disposable diapers, making up 0.3% of U.S. municipal waste.

Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Huggies is an American company that sells disposable diapers and baby wipes that is marketed by Kimberly-Clark.

It has been widely reported in ethnographic and ethnobotanic literature that Sphagnum moss has been used by various North American indigenous peoples for diapering infants and for menstrual needs, (Central Carrier Linguistic Committee 1973; Clément 1990; Gunther 1973; Kari 1887; Leighton 1985; Marles 1984; Turner 1979; ...

The History of Diapers - Ancient Times

Parents of babies born during these days had to be resourceful to make do with what they had. Milkweed leaf covers, animal skins, and other natural materials may have been included. In certain European cultures, babies were wrapped in swaddling bands.

According to Nonwovens Industry, in 1990 the U.S. price of a standard disposable diaper was 22 cents. Almost 15 years later, even with countless improvements, a standard disposable diaper was approximately the same price.

First price: 10 cents per diaper in 1961, 6 cents in 1964. Features: Victor Mills is recognized as the most productive and innovative technologist at Procter & Gamble.