What developmental process has sanitary napkins undergone?

The use of sanitary napkins began in the 20th century. According to historical records, sanitary napkins originated from bandages used during World War I. American female nurses serving in France wrapped gauze with bandages as menstrual products. Such products were safe, clean, and hygienic to use, and could be discarded after use without washing or reuse, marking the earliest prototype of sanitary napkins. During World War I, Kimberly-Clark developed and produced cellulose cotton (Cellucotton), a synthetic fiber material with water absorption properties many times superior to pure cotton, which was widely welcomed by medical personnel on the battlefield. However, with the end of World War I in 1918, demand for cellulose cotton in the battlefield medical market plummeted. Kimberly-Clark decided to use cellulose cotton to produce sanitary napkins and launched the first disposable sanitary napkin in 1921, ushering in the era of industrial mass production. In 1929, catheter-type internal sanitary tampons were introduced in the United States. In 1969, hot melt adhesive materials and technology were applied to produce "self-adhesive back adhesive sanitary napkins," eliminating the need for pins or straps to secure them during use, allowing direct application to underwear. China began producing sanitary napkins in the early 1980s. In 1982, Beijing Paper Mill No.11 pioneered the introduction of sanitary napkin equipment to produce straight-strip sanitary napkins.  In 1991, Procter & Gamble launched winged sanitary napkins at its Guangzhou factory. In 1992, sanitary pad products appeared in the China market. Subsequently, with continuous advancements in technology and materials, the surface layer, core body, and product designs of sanitary napkins have undergone constant iterations and updates. Sanitary napkins can be classified by surface material into: dry mesh surface sanitary napkins, soft cotton surface sanitary napkins, and pure cotton surface sanitary napkins; by absorbent core body into: traditional core body sanitary napkins (containing fluff pulp and highly absorbent resin), composite core body sanitary napkins, and new core body sanitary napkins (such as porous absorbent polymers and foamed materials in liquid sanitary napkins); and by product design into: straight strip sanitary napkins, winged sanitary napkins, and pant-shaped sanitary napkins.

Through over 100 years of continuous improvement, sanitary napkin products have now effectively met the hygiene care requirements of women of appropriate age during menstruation.