Museum of Menstruation

Nunap Tampon Box, Neway Manufacturing Company, circa 1930.

Unlike the Cashay sanitary puff, early tampons were designed as long, cellucotton cylinders for a better, deeper internal fit. This new shape marked the beginning of the modern tampon. By making feminine products internal, tampons attempted to “solve” both menstruation and pad’s limitations by increasing hygiene and protection from leaks and odors. Tampons heightened the sense of secrecy surrounding menstruation because the “invisible” nature of internal devices meant blood did not even exit the body.