Pampers are 17 years older than Huggies; they were
the dominant disposable diaper in the US since their introduction in 1961. At the time, Kimberly-Clark had their disposable diaper called "Kimbies", introduced in 1968. Whereas Pampers were fanfold/pleated, Kimbies started out the same way: flat, rectangular...but that's where the similarity ended: Kimbies were folded into a shape which ended up triangular, ending up as a rather good, unique form-fitting diaper. In addition, from their introduction, Kimbies used adhesive tapes (
an innovation that Pampers would not introduce on their diapers until 1971). But Pampers maintained a staggering market dominance, merely by virtue of having been there first and overwhelmingly. Kimbies struggled until their replacement, "Huggies", came onto the scene in 1978, followed by P&G's "Luvs" brand...both aimed at gaining dominance over Pampers' "saggy, gappy" shape (
Pampers abandoned the fanfold, pleated shape and joined the "hourglass set" in 1985; I remember that too well, unsuccessfully trying to seek out fanfold Pampers in early 1985).
Oddly enough, Kimbies soldiered on to at least 1985 when they appeared on the
Miami Vice episode "Buddies", where a young mother fleeing mobsters is seeking refuge along with her baby; at one point, her baby's diaper bag shows a triangular disposable diaper...undeniably Kimbies.