# How the modern internal menstrual tampon was invented

> Earle Haas's 1933 patent describes the first modern internal menstrual tampon, designed to be inserted into the vagina using a cardboard applicator.

- **Patent:** US 1964911
- **Original title:** Catamenial device
- **Owner:** Individual
- **Granted:** 1934
- **Status:** Public domain (expired)
- **Times cited:** 36
- **Field:** consumer_electronics, biotech

## What it does

The patent describes a catamenial device, which is a medical term for a menstrual product. It consists of a compressed cylinder of absorbent material, such as cotton, designed to be inserted into the vaginal canal to absorb menstrual flow. The invention includes a tubular applicator that allows the user to insert the absorbent core hygienically without direct contact, which was a significant shift from external pads of the era.

## What it does NOT cover

- Does not cover external sanitary napkins or pads
- Does not cover non-absorbent menstrual cups or discs
- Does not cover chemical or pharmaceutical treatments for menstruation
- Does not cover digital tampons that are inserted manually without an applicator

## The clever bit

The innovation was the combination of a highly compressed, absorbent material with a simple, disposable cardboard applicator, making internal use both sanitary and easy for the average user.

## Real-world examples

1. Tampax brand tampons
2. Most modern applicator-style tampons

## Why it matters

This patent laid the foundation for the modern feminine hygiene industry. It provided a discreet and convenient alternative to bulky external belts and pads, fundamentally changing how millions of women managed menstruation in the 20th century.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does How the modern internal menstrual tampon was invented cover?

Earle Haas's 1933 patent describes the first modern internal menstrual tampon, designed to be inserted into the vagina using a cardboard applicator.

### Who owns patent US 1964911?

Individual owns this patent, granted in 1934.

### When does this patent expire?

This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely.

### What is patent US 1964911 cited by?

This patent has been cited by 36 later patents that build on its ideas.

### What problem does this patent solve?

This patent laid the foundation for the modern feminine hygiene industry. It provided a discreet and convenient alternative to bulky external belts and pads, fundamentally changing how millions of women managed menstruation in the 20th century.

### What does this patent NOT cover?

Does not cover external sanitary napkins or pads

**Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1964911/tampon-applicator-haas

**Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US1964911

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_Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._


## Related patents

Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus:

- [How the First Cotton Swabs Were Mass-Produced](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1721815/q-tip-cotton-swab) — Leo Gerstenzang's 1929 patent for the automated manufacturing of cotton-tipped applicators, the invention that created the modern Q-Tip.
- [The Invention of the Modern Adhesive Bandage](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1612267/band-aid-adhesive-bandage) — A 1926 patent by Johnson and Johnson for the first mass-produced, sterile adhesive bandage, commonly known as the Band-Aid.
- [How the Modern Disposable Paper Cup Was Invented](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1032557/dixie-cup-disposable-paper-cup) — A 1908 patent for a sanitary, single-use paper cup designed to prevent the spread of germs from shared public drinking vessels.
- [How the Modern Paper Drinking Straw Was Invented](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/375962/drinking-straw-stone) — A 19th-century patent for a paper tube coated in wax, designed to replace natural rye grass straws for drinking beverages.
- [How Jacob Schick Invented the Modern Magazine-Loading Safety Razor](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1721530/schick-repeating-razor) — A 1929 patent for a safety razor that uses a replaceable blade magazine, allowing users to change blades without touching the sharp edges.