Researched by Morgan Ploch | July 14, 2024
Sanitary belts were a necessary part of using a disposable menstrual pad until adhesive was finally incorporated into their design in the 1970s, 50 years after their advent! There were far more companies mass-producing sanitary belts than the menstrual products they were designed for. One of the patents for such a device was awarded to Mary Kenner, the African American woman helped pioneer their design.
- Materials: elastic, safety pins
- Timeframe: 1930s
- Inventor(s): Often credited to Mary Kenner, but at least 5 earlier US patents were filed and a magazine ad for the Kotex sanitary belt was published a year before her patent.
- Item Location: Period Nirvana Asheville
- Credit: Kim Rosas
- Category: sanitary belts, accessories
Used with: sanitary napkins
Patents:
Meyer Josephine, 1931: US1912783A – Sanitary pad holder – Google Patents
Newton Jewel Mae, 1953
Weinman Mary, 1954
Clyne Joseph, 1957
Mary Kenner, 1957: US2881761A – Sanitary belt with moisture-proof napkin pocket – Google Patents
Sanitary belts were used to hold sanitary napkins in place before the invention of adhesive-backed pads. This belt latched onto the pad which would have two long pieces at each edge.
Product is also part of the Smithsonian’s American History Museum archive.
