National Kleenex Day

Young woman holding a box of tissues with a bright smile, dressed in cozy pajamas, surrounded by a comfy living room setup.. — National kleenex day illustration

Welcome to the fabulous world of National Kleenex Day, a day dedicated to the joy of tissue paper! Get ready to dive into a world filled with softness, sneezes, and those unexpected moments when you need a tissue. So, grab a box of tissues and let's explore the fascinating history of this absorbent celebration!

When is Kleenex Day?

It's national kleenex day on the 28th May.

The Origins of National Kleenex Day

Believe it or not, the origins of National Kleenex Day can be traced back to the early days of the internet. It all started when a group of enthusiastic tissue enthusiasts decided to create a day to honor the humble tissue paper. They wanted to celebrate its many uses, from wiping away tears to blowing noses with style. And thus, National Kleenex Day was born!

The Rise of Kleenex Memes

As the internet evolved, so did the way we express our love for tissue paper. Memes started popping up, featuring adorable puppies with tissue boxes on their heads and people expressing their undying affection for the softness of Kleenex. These hilarious and relatable memes quickly went viral, making National Kleenex Day even more popular.

Kleenex: More Than a Tissue

Did you know that Kleenex is not just for wiping noses anymore? It has become a versatile tool in the modern world. People use it to dab away tears during emotional movie scenes, create innovative origami designs, and even craft impressive homemade costumes. Kleenex has become a symbol of comfort, convenience, and creativity!

History behind the term 'Kleenex'

1924

Creation of Kleenex

Kleenex, the popular brand of facial tissue, was first introduced in 1924 by the Kimberly-Clark Corporation. Originally, it was marketed as a disposable substitute for handkerchiefs, which were commonly used at the time. The company developed a unique manufacturing process to create a soft and absorbent tissue that was gentle on the skin. The name 'Kleenex' was derived from the word 'clean' and the letter 'x,' which was often used in brand names during that era.

1920

The Invention of Kleenex

In the year 1920, the term 'Kleenex' was first coined by Kimberly-Clark, a paper company headquartered in Wisconsin, United States. The company had previously introduced a new wadding material called Cellucotton, which was originally designed to replace the cotton in the production of surgical dressings during World War I. Later, realizing the value of this material, they developed a product that could be marketed for personal use and named it Kleenex.

1930s

Expanding its Use

Initially, Kleenex faced slow adoption as consumers were skeptical of using disposable tissues instead of reusable handkerchiefs. However, during the 1930s, the company started marketing Kleenex as a hygienic product with various uses. Advertisements emphasized its versatility, promoting it not just for blowing noses, but also for makeup removal, sanitary purposes, and even as a disposable towel for children. This shift in marketing strategy helped to popularize Kleenex among a wider audience.

1924

Kleenex as a Cold Cream Remover

In the year 1924, Kimberly-Clark repositioned Kleenex as a disposable facial tissue for removing cold cream. This new marketing strategy aimed to appeal to women who used cold cream as part of their beauty routine. It was promoted as a more sanitary and convenient alternative to traditional cloth or reusable tissues.

1930

Redefining Kleenex as a Nose Care Product

By the year 1930, Kimberly-Clark recognized the potential of Kleenex as a nose care product. They started advertising Kleenex as a solution for colds, hay fever, and allergies. This shift in marketing was a response to a letter received from a customer who used Kleenex to address her baby’s raw, chapped nose. The company embraced this new purpose and positioned Kleenex as a gentle tissue for sensitive areas, further expanding its customer base.

1952

Kleenex's Popularity Soars

Kleenex became increasingly popular in the 1950s, thanks to a combination of effective advertising campaigns and changing societal norms. The rise of allergies and cold-related illnesses also contributed to the growing demand for facial tissues. The convenience of having a readily available and disposable tissue gained widespread acceptance, and Kleenex became a household name.

1978

Trademarked as a Generic Term

Kleenex achieved such immense popularity that by 1978, the term became almost synonymous with facial tissue itself. This led to an interesting legal development - the Kimberly-Clark Corporation successfully trademarked 'Kleenex' as a generic term for facial tissue. The aim was to prevent competitors from using the brand name to market their tissues, indicating the ubiquitous nature of Kleenex in everyday language.

1941

Kleenex Becomes Synonymous with Facial Tissues

In the year 1941, Kimberly-Clark introduced a new marketing campaign that aimed to promote Kleenex as a versatile product suitable for various personal uses. The advertising emphasized the convenience, softness, and hygiene benefits of using Kleenex for facial care. As a result, the term 'Kleenex' became widely associated with facial tissues and entered the common lexicon as a genericized trademark.

Present

Kleenex in Modern Culture

Today, Kleenex continues to be a leading brand in the facial tissue market. The term 'Kleenex' is deeply ingrained in popular culture, often used colloquially to refer to any facial tissue, regardless of the brand. It has become a prime example of a proprietary eponym, where a brand name becomes synonymous with the generic product it represents. The success and cultural impact of Kleenex serve as a testament to its enduring innovation and marketing efforts.

1955

Introduction of Decorative Kleenex Boxes

In 1955, Kimberly-Clark launched a line of decorative and stylish Kleenex boxes to cater to consumers seeking aesthetically pleasing tissue packaging. This innovation not only added a touch of elegance to the product but also encouraged consumers to leave the boxes out in public spaces for easy access. The introduction of these decorative Kleenex boxes elevated the brand's visibility and made Kleenex a household name.

2003

Kleenex Expands Product Range

In 2003, Kimberly-Clark expanded the Kleenex product range to include various specialized tissues, such as lotion-infused tissues, aloe vera tissues, cooling tissues, anti-viral tissues, and pocket-sized packs. This diversification further solidified Kleenex's position as a trusted brand for personal care hygiene.

Did you know?

Did you know that people have been using tissue paper for over 2,000 years? Ancient Egyptians used tissue-like papyrus sheets to blow their noses. Talk about a blast from the past!