Q:When Did Sanitary Pads First Appear?

Sanitary pads have a fascinating history! The first commercially available disposable pads were introduced in the late 19th century. In 1888, Johnson & Johnson launched the 'Lister's Towels,' which were one of the earliest versions. However, they didn't gain widespread popularity initially due to social taboos around menstruation.

It's important to note that before disposable pads, women used reusable cloths or other homemade solutions. The modern sanitary pad as we know it began to emerge more prominently in the 1920s. Kotex, one of the first mass-market brands, was introduced in 1920, following innovations from World War I where nurses used cellulose bandages for menstrual absorption.

From a health perspective, the development of sanitary pads marked a significant improvement in menstrual hygiene. Earlier, in the 1890s, some patents were filed for disposable pads, but it wasn't until the 1920s that they became more accessible. This shift helped reduce infections and provided greater comfort for women during their periods.

The timeline for sanitary pads includes key milestones: primitive forms existed for centuries, but the first disposable pads were patented around the 1890s. For instance, in 1896, the 'Sanitary Towel' by Southall's was marketed in the UK. Mass production and advertising in the 1920s, like by Kotex in the US, really kicked off their widespread use globally.