History of Pampers
Pampers, the disposable diaper brand, was developed by Procter & Gamble (P&G). The idea is credited to P&G chemical engineer Victor Mills, who wanted to find a better alternative to cloth diapers after caring for his grandchild. P&G began test-marketing Pampers in Peoria, Illinois, in 1961, and after several years of refinements to cost and design, the product was sold nationwide in the United States.
Before Pampers, most parents relied on cloth diapers that needed constant washing. Pampers helped make disposable diapers affordable and mainstream. Over the following decades, P&G introduced improvements such as adhesive tape fasteners, elastic leg cuffs, thinner absorbent cores, and wetness indicators, and expanded the range to products for different stages, including Swaddlers, Cruisers, and Easy Ups training pants.
In 2006, Pampers launched a partnership with UNICEF called "1 Pack = 1 Vaccine," which funded tetanus vaccines for mothers and newborns in developing countries. The brand has also introduced baby wipes and other baby care products to extend its reach beyond diapers.
Today, Pampers is one of P&G's largest brands and one of the best-selling diaper brands in the world, sold in around 100 countries. It continues to compete with Huggies, owned by Kimberly-Clark, and with lower-cost private-label brands.