1887 Cloth diapers were first mass-produced by Maria Allen.
1936 Pauliström develops an absorbent insert made of tissue.
1942 First reference to a disposable diaper made by PauliStröm in Sweden.
1946 Marion Donovan patents “the boater,” a waterproof cover with snaps.
1947 George M. Schroder invents the first diaper using nonwoven fabrics.
1947 Valerie Hunter Gordon develops a two-piece disposable diaper in England.
1948 J&J introduces disposable diapers in the United States.
1949 Stanley Mason patented the first disposable and pin-free diaper.
1949 Chicopee introduces CHUX disposable diapers.
1950 Pauliström introduces “roll diapers” made of cellulose wadding.
1952 Kendall and Parke-Davis enter the market.
1956 P&G begins research work on disposable diapers.
1957 Molnlycke develops the first shaped insert surrounded by a knitted net.
1959 First lab tests of P&G’s as-yet-unnamed diaper in Rochester.
1961 Pampers test marketed in Peoria, Illinois.
1962 Pampers test marketed in Sacramento, California.
1962 Sille-Werner in Sweden develops a rectangular diaper pad made with nonwovens.
1963 Unicharm starts production of sanitary napkins in Japan.
1964 Pampers introduced in St. Louis.
1965 Borden test market White Lamb.
1966 Scott Paper test markets Baby Scott’s in Denver, Dallas, and Minneapolis.
1966 Billy Gene Harper and Carlyle Harmon filed the first patents for agricultural superabsorbent.
1967 Molnlycke introduces Combinett, a one-piece disposable diaper.
1968 Kimberly-Clark brought out Kimbies, a one-piece diaper made with superior fluff pulp.
1968 Creation of “The Disposables Association,” a US non-profit (changed name to INDA in 1972).
1968 Kimberly-Clark begins test marketing Huggies in Denver, Colorado.
1969 Pampers completes national expansion.
1970 Weyerhauser enters the market in August.
1971 Pampers introduces a diaper with a paper tape system.
1971 Creation of EDANA (European Disposable and Nonwovens Association).
1972 Pampers conversion to fluff pulp from creped tissue.
1972 Disposable Soft Goods (DSG) started operations in Taiwan with disposable diapers.
1973 Union Carbide begins broad diaper expansion.
1973 D.S.G. starts operations in Hong Kong.
1974 Kimberly-Clark’s Kimbies brand almost hits 85% national distribution.
1974 Kimberly-Clark starts a new diaper factory in Mexico with the brand Kleen Bebe.
1975 Pampers improved newborns is introduced.
1975 Swedish paper company SCA acquires Molnlycke.
1976 Luvs is introduced with fitted shape and a flexible closing system.
1977 Kimberly-Clark’s Huggies national roll-out completed replaces Kimbies.
1977 Grupo Mabesa started operations this year selling female protectors.
1978 Luvs national expansion.
1978 P.I. Mabe introduces baby diapers in Mexico with the brand Kiko.
1979 Luvs introduces Convenience pack.
1980 Pampers introduced Cushion Quilted lining.
1981 Unicharm launches “Moony” diapers in Japan.
1982 Huggies convenience pack daytime 48’s introduced.
1982 Unicharm introduces the first disposable diaper with superabsorbent in the world.
1983 Pampers lost 15 percentage points of market share; two-piece tape introduced.
1983 Kao launches “Merries” disposable diapers in Japan.
1984 Pampers changes to an hourglass shape and single refastenable tapes.
1985 Huggies surpassed Pampers to become the #1 selling diaper in the U.S.
1986 P&G and KC both introduce diapers with Super Absorbent in the U.S.
1986 Luvs introduces an elastic waist.
1987 DSG acquires Dafoe & Dafoe in the United States.
1987 Pampers and Huggies both introduce new tape systems (Frontal tape).
1987 Unicharm launches “Lifree” adult incontinence diapers in Japan.
1988 P&G introduces gender-specific Luvs diapers.
1989 Kimberly-Clark introduces Huggies for Him and Her.
1989 KC introduces training pants; Pampers introduced with barrier leg cuffs.
1990 Pampers and Luvs Phases in boy-girl version.
1990 Kao introduces “Relief” brand for adult incontinence in Japan.
1991 Arquest starts operation as a spin-off from Johnson & Johnson.
1991 Weyerhouser introduces private label “Stages”.
1992 Unicharm introduces “Moony Man” Pull-up diapers.
1992 KC introduces Huggies Ultra Trim.
1993 Pampers Ultra Dry with “Curly Cellulose Fiber” is introduced.
1993 KC-México starts a new diaper factory in Ramos Arizpe and launches Huggies in Mexico.
1993 Pampers Trainers introduced.
1994 KC introduces Pull-Up Goodnites for nighttime use in older children.
1994 P.I. Mabe introduces the first baby pants in Latin America.
1994 Private label from Paragon Trade Brands, Drypers, and DSG gain 25% share.
1994 Paragon Trade Brands introduces a premium private label.
1995 P&G cuts the price of Luvs by 11% and Pampers trainers by 17.5%.
1996 Pampers Premium with a breathable side panel is introduced.
1996 P&G discontinues gender-specific diapers; mega-sizes introduced.
1997 Paragon Trade Brands introduces “all-over breathable” and cloth-like.
1997 Kimberly-Clark introduces Huggies Little Swimmers.
1997 Serenity Argentina is purchased by P.I. Mabesa; they also purchase MPC in Brazil.
1997 Drypers incorporates Aloe Vera; Huggies launches Ultra Trim with hook and loop.
1998 Pampers Baby Dry breathable backsheet and lotion introduced.
1999 P&G introduces Pampers Rash Guard, medically proven.
2000 Pampers Custom Fit, with stretchy side panels, is introduced.
2001 Paragon Trade Brands is purchased by Tyco.
2001 Drypers introduces Next Step Training Pants; Drypers is purchased by DSG.
2001 DSG (Disposable Soft Goods) acquires the U.S. assets of Drypers.
2001 Three facilities of the Drypers Group in South America are purchased by P.I. Mabesa.
2002 Absormex introduces Earthpure degradable diapers sold by Amway.
2002 P&G introduces Pampers Baby Stages after launch in Europe.
2002 Absormex selected the exclusive supplier for HEB’s private label brands in Texas.
2003 P&G baby pant grows to 19% share from almost nothing in January 2002.
2003 KC launches a new “convertible,” a baby diaper that emulates a baby pant.
2003 DSG starts a joint venture diaper factory in Shanghai, China.
2004 Lack of superabsorbent forces many diaper producers to reduce production.
2005 Carlos Richer opens “Richer Investment,” a new diaper industry consulting service.
2005 CMPC Chile purchases Absormex and Grupo ABS Mexico in November 2005.
2006 P&G introduces new Pampers Baby Dry with a new reduced chassis and elastic ears.
2006 KC launches Huggies Supreme “Gente Care” and “Natural Fit” baby diapers.
2007 Tyco splits into three companies; Covidien is the hygiene business.
2007 AHP-DSG is moving to a new building in Delaware and starts new Zuiko pants.
2007 BASF starts two new plants in Texas for the production of SAP.
2007 CMPC buys two Mabesa plants, in Colombia and Uruguay.
2007 Unicharm develops thinner diapers from 4mm to 1.8mm thick.
2007 KC invests 60M USD in Peru.
2007 P&G launches a pulp-less version of Pampers diapers in the US and China.
2008 First Quality Products purchases Covidien’s retail business for 335M USD.
2008 KC launches the new Snug & Dry: Stop Leaks diaper.
2008 P&G test markets Pampers Change N’Go, a diaper with a slip-in insert.
2008 Giulio D’Inca & Richer’s patent: the Vacuum Dry Diaper and a prototype are presented in October.
2009 Huggies new Pure and Natural, the backsheet is made with organic cotton.
2011 P&G launches Pampers Dry Max, the diaper core is made of SAP with only curly on top.
2011 KC launches Little Movers Slip-On, the diaper is a hybrid between a pant and a diaper.
2012 Drylock launches a diaper without any pulp in October.
2012 Honest Co. launches new “fashion style” diapers with BioSAP in the USA, made by Mabesa Mexico.
2015 Ontex announces an agreement to purchase Mabesa and all its factories.
2015 Procter & Gamble launches Pampers Cruisers with absorbing Channels.
2016 Ontex purchases the Diaper division of Hypermarcas, a diaper manufacturer in Brazil.
2016 Parasol Co launches a new line of luxury baby diapers in the US with an ultra-soft topsheet/backsheet.
2017 Drylock expands in Brazil after the purchase of Capricho and Mardam.
2018 Abena Nova with Medisens, a smart brief for bedridden patients started user tests in Europe.
2018 Pampers launches Pampers Pure, with no perfume, unbleached curly fiber, and organic cotton.
2019 Coterie Diapers, an ultra-high-performance diaper, is launched in the USA in June.
2019 KC launches Huggies Special Delivery, made with soft and hypoallergenic plant-based materials.