Kleenex: From Trench Warfare to Your Runny Nose

Ah, Kleenex—the hero of flu season, ugly cries, and allergy meltdowns. But did you know this innocent little tissue started as a World War I battlefield necessity? That’s right—before it wiped your tears, it was protecting soldiers from literal death clouds of poison gas. Max Bennett and Lisa Vega rip into the bizarre history of how a wartime innovation turned into a household staple, because nothing says “capitalism” like repackaging military tech for mass consumption.

From its origins in gas masks to its transformation into a disposable handkerchief (because washing fabric was apparently too much work), we’re diving into how Kleenex went from saving soldiers to saving you from embarrassing snot rockets. Strap in—this one’s a wild ride.

Note: This project explores the new creative potential unlocked by generative AI, showcasing how a single person, in just two hours, can curate (not create, but curate) a polished podcast series. I recognize the critiques around AI-generated content and the potential for digital clutter but invite you to take a listen on your next walk or drive and see what you think. Audio is AI-generated by Google's NotebookLM. Images by Grok-3 and Magic Studio.