Marion O'Brien Donovan (October 15, 1917 – November 4, 1998) was an American inventor and entrepreneur. Recognized as one of the era's most prominent female inventors,^[1] she secured a total of 20 patents for her creations. In 1946, she created a reusable, impermeable diaper cover. Ultimately, this led to the invention of the disposable paper diaper, which was eventually commercialized by Victor Mills, the creator of Pampers.^[2] Donovan also innovated various solutions around the home and was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2015.^[2][3][4]

Donovan was born on October 15, 1917 in South Bend, Indiana^[5] to Anne and Miles O'Brien.^[6] Following the death of her mother in 1925, Donovan was parented by her father. With his identical twin brother John, Miles O'Brien ran the South Bend Lathe Words manufacturing plant.^[4][5] Donovan's father and uncle were inventors as well, credited with inventing products such as the "South Bend lathe" for developing automobile gears and gun barrels.^[7][2]

At the age of 22, Donovan earned her B.A. in English from Rosemont College in Pennsylvania.^[5] Nineteen years later, as one of the three women in her graduating class, Donovan earned a master's degree in architecture from Yale University.^[5]

After graduation, Donovan was employed as an Assistant Beauty Editor at Vogue magazine in New York.^[2] Eventually, she resigned to start a family with leather importer James F. Donovan, and moved to Westport, Connecticut.^[2] She had three children with Donovan (Christine Donovan, Sharon Dodd Donovan, and James F. Donovan).^[6] She divorced Donovan in the 1970s and went on to marry John F. Butler in 1981.^[6][5]

In the late 1940s, Donovan was a young mother frustrated by the never ending pile of soggy cloth diapers, and that was when her most famous invention came about. She was determined to find a more efficient way of dealing with this problem, so she began experimenting in her attic with various materials and this eventually led her to repurpose a lightweight shower curtain to craft a waterproof diaper cover.^[8] She called this invention the “Boater,” and this design got rid of the standard rubber pants of the era by using breathable yet leak resistant fabric. This design also allowed for snap fasteners instead of safety pins, reducing risk of accidental pricks.^[9] Initially, there was skepticism from manufacturers about the design, however, the Boater quickly gained popularity after Donovan approached several department stores to showcase its benefits for parents. Thus, sales increased, revealing a strong market demand for a product that greatly reduced laundry loads and improved infant hygiene.^[10]

In 1951, Donovan sold the patent for her diaper cover for $1 million, which was a remarkable sum at the time, and a testament to the invention’s value. A widespread misconception is that Donovan created an entirely disposable diaper, however, she actually introduced a pivotal waterproof cover that paved the way for subsequent developments in leak proof diaper technology. The major companies, such as Procter & Gamble (through its Pampers brand), later evolved Donovan’s core idea to produce fully disposable and more absorbent diapers. Although today’s diapers look different from the Boater, her principle of convenience and leak protection remains integral.^[11]

Beyond diapers, Donovan’s inventive pursuit led her to develop many household and personal care items, including a soap dish that prevented soap from dissolving in excess water and multiple organizational aids aimed at making domestic life more efficient.

The influence of Marion Donovan’s work can still be seen in modern childcare aisles and household goods. Her creations not only offered parents a more effective way to manage diaper changes, but also highlighted the importance of user-friendly solutions for common problems, which is an ethos now central to many successful consumer products. In recognition of her groundbreaking achievements, Donovan was showcased in the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2015.^[12] She stands as a testament to the power of ingenuity and perseverance, inspiring future generations of female inventors to turn their observations of daily life into meaningful innovations.

Donovan died on November 4, 1998, from heart disease at the age of 81 at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan.^[13]

Donovan was elected to the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2015 and has a picture on the Hall of Fame wall.^[3]

• Victor Mills