See a Modess True or
False? ad in The American Girl magazine,
January 1947, and actress Carol
Lynley in "How Shall I Tell My Daughter"
booklet ad (1955) - Modess
. . . . because ads (many dates).
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Museum of Menstruation and Women's Health
Two o.b. menstrual tampon ads, Germany
Ancient Egypt and papyrus
Für Sie magazine, 1988-89
O.b. was probably the
first commercial menstrual tampon
indigenous to Europe (Tampax
preceded it there). The company writes that
Judith Esser "designed" it and I
believe the company Dr. Carl Hahn GmbH
of Düsseldorf, Germany, first marketed
it in the early 1950s. Johnson &
Johnson then bought that company in
the 70s.
But that's way after someone thousands
of years ago invented it - the tampon,
that is. There are hieroglyphics
showing its Egyptian use as a medium
for contraception.
Since then and probably before then
women have made their own tampons
(especially stage
performers - and more
stage performers) from many
materials before capitalists
mass-produced the "small
wonder."
See an
o.b. from the decade before.
What
does o.b. mean?
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Below:
From Für Sie magazine, 1988, issue
unknown. The page measures 8 1/2 x 11 1/8"
(22.4 x 28.3 cm).
My translation of the ad:
Four thousand years ago women
already ruled countries, won
competitions. And used a completely
natural method of menstrual hygiene.
It's hard to imagine. But in many
ancient cultures women already knew the
advantages of internal menstrual
protection. The first tampons were
rolled from papyrus or cotton. Women
already knew that they didn't feel
tampons when they were positioned
correctly. That shows how natural the
tampon actually is. And that it's proved
itself for many, many years. Nothing's
changed. Only that in comparison to
earlier tampons an o.b. is much more
hygienic. And of course much more
comfortable. In addition, very thin
fleece encases o.b. That allows a
noticeably easier insertion. For today's
women o.b. tampons are the most natural
thing in the world.
o.b.
One more little piece of freedom.
Johnson & Johnson
Düsseldorf
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Below:
From Für Sie magazine, issue
11/1989. The page measures 8 1/2 x 11 1/8"
(22.4 x 28.3 cm).
My translation:
This is what a 4000 year-old
invention looks like today.
Tampons are almost as old as the world.
Because there were always women who of
course used internal menstrual
protection.
The first tampons were made from leaves
or natural fibers by hand. Today, too,
tampons are manufactured from natural
fibers. But in contrast to earlier times
an o.b. tampon is more hygienic and
safer. Now we can make this wonderful
invention for women better.
A very thin, soft fleece wraps each o.b.
That makes it smoother and more
slippery. And therefore perceptibly
easier to insert. Changing is simple
even when the flow is lighter or during
the last days of the period. So simple
that so many women regard o.b. tampons
as one of the best inventions in the
world.
o.b.
One more little piece of freedom.
Johnson & Johnson
Düsseldorf
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See more o.b. ads: French
(1989) - German
(nude, 1970s)
© 2013 Harry Finley. It is illegal to
reproduce or distribute any of the work on this
Web site in any
manner or medium without written permission of
the author. Please report suspected violations
to hfinley@mum.org
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