Judith Esser-Mittag

Dr. Judith Esser-Mittag (born 1921), commonly known as Dr. Judith Esser, is a German gynecologist. Her extensive studies of the female anatomy helped her improve the analog style tampon. At the time of her invention, she was married to Kyle Lucherini, who mildly assisted the doctor in her new design.

Tampon commercials have advertised, “created by female gynecologists” for years but these gynecologists had always stayed anonymous. Women have invented tampon and sanitary napkins for years, but it was not until 1936 when Dr. Esser-Mittag[1] created the new design to the age-old product which resulted in a digital tampon, known as an o.b. tampon.[2] A digital tampon means that it can be applied using one's digits, or fingers.[3] The o.b. tampon consists of rolled fiber-pad layers that supposedly expands uniformly from all sides, filling the vaginal cavity more completely than a less flexible tampon. It is more efficient in guarding against leaks. Cotton and rayon layers achieve the necessary absorbency.[4]

The initials o.b. come from the German words "ohne binde", translating to without sanitary pad. The alteration to the tampon included that the tampon could be placed without the use of an applicator.[5] A tampon without an applicator is beneficial to the user by means that it is easy to use, comfortable, and ultimately provided excellent protection for the user.[6] Dr. Esser-Mittag’s idea was to create a product that worked with a women’s body to offer the best protection. Dr. Esser-Mittag was an active swimmer and was dissatisfied with the options available for menstrual hygiene. Because she was a gynecologist she took initiative to find a better option for women while menstruating. She was not pleased with pads because they could not be worn in water, and Dr. Esser-Mittag though that applicator-tampons were uncomfortable and did not conform to the woman’s body. The o.b. tampon is much smaller than an applicator-tampon, and it is easy to insert, comfortable, and provides great protection.[7]

After the invention of this new tampon, the product was mass-produced throughout the mid 20th century with the help of the Carl Hahn Company in Germany. This company, as well as the idea for the digital o.b. tampon, was later sold and eventually bought by Johnson and Johnson in 1974. In 1984, an advertisement for o.b. tampons aired on American television with the inventor Dr. Esser-Mittag.[8] The o.b. tampon now comes in three sizes and three absorbencies.[9] To this day the o.b. brand continues to retain a board-certified gynecologist and research team to pursue Dr. Esser-Mittag's vision for innovative options for women.[10] This idea for an o.b. tampon is still widely used across several different companies.

Applicator tampons were invented in the United States by Earle Haas in the late 1940s. Applicator tampons are inserted into the vaginal cavity with an applicator tube. This tube is made of plastic or a slick-coated cardboard.[11] Applicators make it easier for some women to inject the tampon into position in the vagina. But by creating a tampon without an applicator Dr. Esser-Mittag created a more environmentally friendly product. 90% of raw materials used for o.b. tampons come from renewable resources. So not only are the tampons are environmentally friendly because they lack the applicator, but they are also made of environmentally friendly materials.[12]

References

  1. ↑ "judith esser mittag". www.cpp.edu. Retrieved 2015-11-29.
  2. ↑ Weissfeld, A. S. (2010). "The History of Tampons: From Ancient Times to an FDA-Regulated Medical Device". Clinical Microbiology Newsletter. 32 (10): 73. doi:10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2010.04.003.
  3. ↑ "Women You Should Know® - About - Google+". plus.google.com. Retrieved 2015-11-29.
  4. ↑ Stanley, Autumn (1995-01-01). Mothers and Daughters of Invention: Notes for a Revised History of Technology. Rutgers University Press. ISBN 9780813521978.
  5. ↑ https://www.cpp.edu/~plin/inventors/mittag.html
  6. ↑ http://www.ob-tampons.com/faq/about-ob-tampons
  7. ↑ "Pelvic Health Pioneer (Earth Day Pioneer, Too!)". Women's Health Foundation. Retrieved 2015-11-29.
  8. ↑ http://www.mum.org/obesser.htm
  9. ↑ Stanley, Autumn (1995-01-01). Mothers and Daughters of Invention: Notes for a Revised History of Technology. Rutgers University Press. ISBN 9780813521978.
  10. ↑ "About OB Tampons". www.ob-tampons.com. Retrieved 2015-11-29.
  11. ↑ Stanley, Autumn (1995-01-01). Mothers and Daughters of Invention: Notes for a Revised History of Technology. Rutgers University Press. ISBN 9780813521978.
  12. ↑ "About OB Tampons". www.ob-tampons.com. Retrieved 2015-11-29.
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