Disposable diapers are part of new historical exhibit

An invention that changed parenting forever is one of the “things” celebrated in a new exhibit, which opens Saturday at the State Historical Building in Des Moines. For generations, babies were swaddled in cloth diapers, which were washed and re-used. But 40 years ago, things changed dramatically when disposable diapers were introduced. Jack Lufkin arranged a new exhibit at the state historical building called “Creations of the 20th Century” and he included disposable diapers.Lufkin says 85 percent of U-S parents now use disposable diapers. Iowa State University textile and clothing professor Janice Stone says disposable diapers have made life a lot easier for parents because they don’t have to wash diapers.If you would throw out diapers and add something of your own to the list of “100 things” — you may get your chance. Iowans may submit their own items for the display, and every few months an item will be picked and put in a special case.