Post by max23 on Jun 2, 2022 6:21:07 GMT -5
I recently found a link to a journal article, "Merchandising the Sanitary Napkin: Lillian Gilbreth's 1927 Survey", by an academic, Vern L Bullough. Of most interest is the results of the survey, which are attached to the article.
According to Bullough, "In 1926 Johnson and Johnson, which was beginning to manufacture Modess as well as other similar products asked [Lillan Gilbreth's] firm to conduct a market and consumer analysis on the use of sanitary napkins." Given that periods are still a taboo subject for some people, I find it really interesting that a researcher would conduct such a survey in the 1920s, and that the 1920s woman was prepared to participate in the survey. The majority of the women surveyed were American college students (about 3,000 questionnaires were issued and about 1,050 were returned), and the researchers also questioned a group of high school students from the city of Detroit, and a number of business and professional women. Some of the more interesting findings were:
In the 1920s, pads were held in place by a sanitary belt, and the survey's findings were:
According to Wikipedia, the first modern tampon was the Tampax tampon, which didn't come onto the market until 1933. From the responses to the survey, it seems the choice for American women in the 1920s was between store bought pads like Modess, and home made alternatives.
According to Bullough, "In 1926 Johnson and Johnson, which was beginning to manufacture Modess as well as other similar products asked [Lillan Gilbreth's] firm to conduct a market and consumer analysis on the use of sanitary napkins." Given that periods are still a taboo subject for some people, I find it really interesting that a researcher would conduct such a survey in the 1920s, and that the 1920s woman was prepared to participate in the survey. The majority of the women surveyed were American college students (about 3,000 questionnaires were issued and about 1,050 were returned), and the researchers also questioned a group of high school students from the city of Detroit, and a number of business and professional women. Some of the more interesting findings were:
- "On the surface it might appear that many girls and women would feel reluctant or embarrassed in purchasing sanitary napkins in drug stores having only men as clerks and would prefer either to purchase their materials and make their napkins at home or limit their purchasing to shops employing women clerks. Yet we found only 520 women patronizing stores providing women clerks against a total of 839 who buy where the location of the store or the convenience of its service is the determining factor."
- In order of importance, the five most important characteristics of sanitary napkins were: comfort, adequate protection, inconspicuousness. disposability and availability.
In the 1920s, pads were held in place by a sanitary belt, and the survey's findings were:
- "Comfort and inconspicuousness are the two chief requirements in a belt.
- Since 870 [who] answered the questionnaires stated that they used safety pins in comparison with only 16 who use clasps, it would seem evident that safety pins are preferred and that it is not necessary to attach clasps to the belt tabs.
- Safety pins are preferable as they can be adjusted more quickly, give a greater feeling of safety, and can be secured anywhere. Clasps are bulky and apt to show, they catch in the gauze and take longer to adjust. Some of them hurt. If a clasp pulls off, it is difficult to secure others."
According to Wikipedia, the first modern tampon was the Tampax tampon, which didn't come onto the market until 1933. From the responses to the survey, it seems the choice for American women in the 1920s was between store bought pads like Modess, and home made alternatives.
Link: "A Glimpse at Women’s Periods in the Roaring Twenties": daily.jstor.org/a-glimpse-at-womens-periods-in-the-roaring-twenties/. To view the journal article and the survey, click on the link in the first paragraph, "Historian Vern L. Bullough provides a glimpse".