Believe it or not, did you know a box of vintage 1970’s Pampers disposable diapers can sell for over $900 on eBay?? (Unused, of course.)
Unbelievable-but true: bizarre, or unique vintage consumer products like these Pampers disposable diapers, are types of unusual collectibles people are searching for today.
Why? Well, one reason is because the product is what is considered “Deadstock” meaning they’re not manufactured anymore.
When packaged disposable diapers were marketed during the ’70s and ’80s, they had particular designs. Maybe someone buying them today, has hopes of bringing back memories of their younger years? Not to mention, most of the disposable diapers were plastic-backed, which is something you can’t find anymore. They did keep baby dry.
My first child was born in 1978, and I treated myself once a week, by purchasing one small box of Huggies disposable diapers. It was a break from laundering the real cotton ones-not to mention a break from soaking them in the toilet- and so convenient to use when taking baby for a car ride.
Larger-sized diapers seem to be more popular. Could the buyer want to wear them? (You never know.)
A bit of disposable diaper history:
In doing some research about disposable diapers, I found out they have been around since the 1940’s.
A Scottish housewife by the name of Valerie Hunter Gordon, put together a disposable diaper with a pad made of cellulose wadding covered with cotton wool-which was worn inside a plastic garment. These diapers were adjustable with press-studs and snaps. (The plastic she first used, was made via used parachutes.) With the use of a table-top sewing machine, she was able to produce 400 of these disposable diapers. She called these diapers “Paddis.” She applied for a patent in 1948 and by 1949 her patent was granted. Several companies turned her away, but in 1949, her big break came when Sir Robert Robinson- of “Robinsons of Chesterfield”- liked her idea and started production of her Paddi. In 1950, Boots UK (a pharmacy chain out of the UK), agreed to sell Paddis in all their store branches. Larger international companies were unable to buyout the Paddi market, so the race was on for America to recreate a similar product.
(Jeez, my great-uncle called me his little “Paddi” when I was a toddler. I hope there is no correlation here.)
During the mid-century, U.S.A manufacturing giants (e.g., Proctor & Gamble, Johnson and Johnson) continually researched the disposable diaper concept. It was Proctor & Gamble who finally created “Pampers,” and in 1961, their disposable diapers were introduced to the stores.
(Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diaper)
During the next couple of decades, improvements were made to the original Pampers disposable diaper, and the Kimberly Clark Company entered the market with their version called “Huggies.”
in 1973, Pampers had created a double gusset in their diapers which lead to an easy fitting and comfortable diaper for baby. Quality and comfort is key when wanting to make baby happy!
Today, Pampers disposable diapers alone, account for more than $10 billion dollars in revenue for the P & G Co.
Watch for 1970s-1990s disposable diapers in their original boxes or packages-It could mean $$$ in your pocket!!
QUOTE FOR THE DAY:
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