Disposable diapers are constructed from materials that have a long history of being used safely in a wide range of ordinary consumer products. A typical diaper weighs between 1.4 and 1.8 ounces and is composed mostly of cellulose, polypropylene, polyethylene, and a super absorbent polymer, with tiny amounts of tapes, elastics, and adhesive components. Advances in each of these materials have allowed diapers to become lighter, thinner, and more effective - all while having a lower environmental impact.
Between the 1930s through the 1950s, disposable diapers were developed concurrently in Europe and North America, with the majority of advancement occurring after World War II. Technological advancements, such as the creation of more soft and absorbent materials, catapulted the disposable diaper to new heights.
Since their widespread availability in the 1960s, disposable diapers have undergone a variety of material and structural improvements in order to improve their performance, fit, and skin comfort. These advancements have also lowered the environmental impact of diapers in recent years.