Kleenex 1928

Illustration of a tall box with green stripes and flower designs on a red background with white text. 

Kleenex Brand tissues have a long history, which began with the products being used for a completely different purpose than we might know them for in modern times. The product was first developed for use in soldiers’ gas masks during World War 1, though wartime nurses discovered the material was useful as a makeup remover, a use which Hollywood actresses would also discover.  In the early 1920’s the product was rebranded as Kotex, a menstrual pad for women. It was in response to reports that Kleenex was being used as a disposable handkerchief, however, that the brand morphed into its now familiar form. Kleenex packaging would change repeatedly over the decades to reflect changing trends and new features of the product.  

See the Busy Button Museum’s other Kleenex packaging buttons from 1924, 1932, 1936, 1960, 1964, and 1968.