Pampers' first disposable diapers reached U.S. stores in 1961, after P&G scientist Victor Mills asked colleagues to develop an alternative to cloth diapers. Today, the brand operates nearly 30 manufacturing plants in 25 countries and is sold in more than 100.
Mills was inspired in 1956 while caring for his grandson and frustrated with cloth diapers. According to P&G, fewer than 1% of U.S. families used disposable diapers at the time. Pampers received its first patent in 1964 and became the first nationally sold U.S. brand in 1969.
In the 1970s, Pampers replaced pins with custom-fit fastening tapes. In the 1990s, it introduced the first diaper with stretchy sides and other upgrades intended to reduce dryness and improve skin care. In the 2000s, its Baby Stages of Development line added diapers, training pants and wipes for children at different stages.
