o.b. ads Dutch (1959) - German (1970s) - German nude (1970s) - French (1989) Australian douche ad (ca. 1900) - Fresca douche (date ?) - Kotique douche 1974 ad - Liasan (1) ad - Liasan (2) ad - Lysol 1928 ad - Lysol 1948 ad - Marvel 1926 ad - Midol 1938 ad - Midol 1959 booklet - o.b. German (papyrus tampons) - Pristeen 1969 ad - o.b. German (nude) - Sterizol 1926 ad - Vionell spray 1970 ad (Germany) - the odor page A British Tampax ad using nudity (1992) - And see other ads directed at teenagers. 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). CONTRIBUTE to Humor, Words and expressions about menstruation and Would you stop menstruating if you could? Some MUM site links: homepage | MUM address & What does MUM mean? | e-mail the museum | privacy on this site | who runs this museum?? | Amazing women! | the art of menstruation | artists (non-menstrual) | asbestos | belts | bidets | founder bio | Bly, Nellie | MUM board | books: menstruation and menopause (and reviews) | cats | company booklets for girls (mostly) directory | contraception and religion | costumes | menstrual cups | cup usage | dispensers | douches, pain, sprays | essay directory | extraction | facts-of-life booklets for girls | famous women in menstrual hygiene ads | FAQ | founder/director biography | gynecological topics by Dr. Soucasaux | humor | huts | links | masturbation | media coverage of MUM | menarche booklets for girls and parents | miscellaneous | museum future | Norwegian menstruation exhibit | odor | olor | pad directory | patent medicine | poetry directory | products, current | puberty booklets for girls and parents | religion | Religión y menstruación | your remedies for menstrual discomfort | menstrual products safety | science | Seguridad de productos para la menstruación | shame | slapping, menstrual | sponges | synchrony | tampon directory | early tampons | teen ads directory | tour of the former museum (video) | underpants & panties directory | videos, films directory | Words and expressions about menstruation | Would you stop menstruating if you could? | What did women do about menstruation in the past? | washable pads Leer la versión en español de los siguientes temas: Anticoncepción y religión, Breve reseña - Olor - Religión y menstruación - Seguridad de productos para la menstruación.   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? 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 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 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