Researched by Kim Rosas | February 2025
In the 1950s/1960s, the Personal Products Corporation, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, expanded its Modess line to include tampons featuring cardboard applicators. Modess already had another tampon line, Meds by Modess. Modess aligned their brand with elegantly dressed women in evening gowns, a motif also seen on this box.
The introduction of tampons with cardboard applicators was influenced by earlier innovations. In 1931, Dr. Earle Haas developed and patented the first modern tampon with a cardboard applicator, aiming to provide a hygienic and discreet option for menstrual management. This design allowed for easier insertion without direct contact, addressing concerns over manual insertion of non-applicator tampons.
The Modess tampons with cardboard applicators were designed to offer comfort and ease of use, reflecting the evolving preferences of women during that period. Advertisements claimed the Modess tampon was more “flexible” and less “rigid” than previous models, with better absorbent capabilities due to its shape and form.
- Timeframe: 1957 – 1964
- Item Location: Period Nirvana Asheville
- Credit: Kim Rosas
- Category: tampons
Additional ads for Modess Tampons are in the Mum.org archive. Another example of this product can be found in the Smithsonian’s American History Museum’s archive, gift of Harry Finley and MUM.
