About Pampers

Pampers Parenting Institute

Pampers History

Founder 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s Today

Founder

Victor Mills was an American chemical engineer who, while working for the Procter & Gamble Co., revolutionised child care with the invention of the disposable nappy; he began work on that product in the 1950s, using his grandchildren as test subjects (b. 1897--d. Nov. 1, 1997).
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1950s

While some thought father knew best, Vic Mills believed grandfathers knew even more. This guy (who just happened to work for Procter & Gamble) looked for an alternative to cloth nappies for his grandson. The result - Pampers was born.

1960s

Some headed to Woodstock. We headed to department stores, supermarkets and pharmacies all over with a nappy that helped keep babies dry and parents happy. The only problem was that no one knew exactly where to stock Pampers. Our nappies were so different, they could be found in the convenience section, the food aisle, the paper product section and even in the medicinal section.

1970s

Bell bottoms. Platform shoes. And tape. Not the 8-track kind. Real tape. We replaced the pin with tape so that parents could take a quick peek at what was going on in the nappy-and save their fingers from any accidents. We were also busy coming up with Pampers Toddler Size, Extra Absorbent Daytime, Improved Newborn, and Quilted Pampers - while others were out at the disco.

1980s

Everything about this time was about excess. Even nappies. We introduced value packs, because you can never really have too many nappies. We also came up with other brilliant ideas: the first thin nappy made with absorbent gelling material, elastic leg gathers, tabs that could be refastened and a softer liner. We figured even our advancements should be a little excessive too.

1990s

Forget the money. Show me the all the new Pampers. We developed Ultra Dry Thins nappies that pulled moisture into the core, then sprang back to absorb even more. And we also came up with the first stretch panels to make nappies more comfortable.

Today

What will they think of next? Well, we're the ones thinking of that next stuff. We've already made nappies that breathe, yes breathe. Grandpa Vic would be oh so proud.