Things have certainly changed since 1936 when smoking was popular, glamorized and even encouraged. Theron E. Hatcher, inventor for this patent that was granted on May 5, 1936 as U.S. Patent No. 2,039,530 stated “Lately the smoking of cigarettes has become a fad among women. However I have observed that most women are somewhat annoyed by the staining or discoloration of their fingers or gloves and the lips due to the deposit thereon of smoke or nicotine emanating from the cigarette in the process of smoking.”
“The object of the present invention is to provide convenient and economical protectors whereby the staining or discoloration can be largely or entirely prevented. As a woman may smoke a considerable number of cigarettes during the day or on social occasions, as for example, at a card party, a dance, during a drive or other entertainment a further object is to provide a convenient and economical pad or package containing a considerable number of the protectors referred to so that when a fresh cigarette is taken a fresh protector shall be at hand for application to the cigarette.”
