Menstrual Cups - A Brief History

A Brief History of Menstrual Cups

Time shift, let's go back together...

To some people, menstrual cups may be an integral part of daily life, while to others it seems like an alien language. If you don't know, the menstrual cup was invented in the same era as your great-grandmother! Don't worry, we don't even want to kiss you with the history of menstrual cups, so Teden is going to make a condensed version~

CATAMENIAL SACK

1867

The first menstrual cup model, the "Catamenial Sack", was patented in the United States in 1867 (bottom left).

Menstrual bags are mainly composed of three parts: rubber bag, belt and iron wire. The rubber bag needs to be inserted into the vagina, and there is a rope at the bottom to facilitate the drainage; the belt is firmly tied around the waist; the iron wire is connected to the rubber bag and the belt, and the rubber bag is positioned at the same time. (bottom right). Although the designs are almost subversive, they are not sold on the market in the end.

DAINTETTE, FOLDENE, GODDARD & HAGEDOM CUP

1932 - 1933

The first, more modern menstrual cups were introduced in the United States in the early 1930s. Lester Goddard applied for his menstrual cup design in 1932. A year later, Arthur Hagedom patented a design very similar to the Goddard Cup. The Dainty Maid, Inc. also introduced the Daintette reusable menstrual cup (bottom left) and Foldene Inc. introduced the Foldene reusable menstrual cup (bottom right). Both Daintette and Foldene openly reference the patents of Goddard and Hagedom.

1937 - 1963

TASSETTE Cup

American actress Leona Chalmers patented her Tassette cup design in 1937. The Tassette is made of latex, and its patent application states that the design "does not cause discomfort, or even its presence." Because there is no need for a belt and a rope, it is convenient for women to wear light and close-fitting shirts. However, it is also a black boy. During the Second World War, the shortage of latex forced Tassette to stop production.

Chalmers then improved upon his patented design after the war ended in 1950. The revamped Tassette was hyped in clinics, hospitals, and universities, and became the first menstrual product to be advertised on radios, buses, newspapers, and the famous Times Square billboard.

The company is very generous and spends a lot of money to promote Tassette, but unfortunately the sales are very bleak.

Despite the Tassette sensation, women at the time were still unable to embrace the controversial invention of the reusable menstrual cup. More ironically, because of the reusable relationship, women who love Tassette do not need to buy back, which indirectly pushed Tassette into bankruptcy in 1963.

TASSAWAY Cup

1960-1979

In the late 1960s, Tassette Inc. obtained a new patent and began producing a new disposable menstrual cup called Tassaway, in an attempt to compete with emerging disposable menstrual products (e.g., pads, tampons) . But misfortunes don't come singly, just like the former, Tassaway's huge expenses made Tassette Inc. face bankruptcy, and Tassaway was buried with him.

KEEPER Cup

1987

T assette and Tassaway are inherited from the Keeper Cup developed by Lou Crawford. This reusable menstrual cup is made of latex and is still on sale today!

Medical grade silicone

2000-

Medical grade silicone is a more advanced material and has been successfully used by many brands to manufacture menstrual cups, creating a new milestone for menstrual cups. Even women with latex allergies can safely use menstrual cups!

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