The first of these devices, created by Earle Cleveland Haas, was meant to replace a cut-up sponge and included a set of telescoping tubes of paper.  
Congress has failed to pass H.R. 1708, a bill named for Robin Danielson which would increase safety standards in these devices.  A 1976 law reclassified these things from cosmetics to medical devices, but today there are no requirements to list on their labels potentially dangerous ingredients such as viscose rayon.  Judith Esser-Mittag developed the first of these things to have a (*) digital component.  The first of these devices, created by Earle Cleveland Haas, was meant to replace a cut-up sponge and included a set of telescoping tubes of paper.  When people who carried the TSST-1 strain used a teabag-shaped one of these devices branded as Rely, they were liable to develop toxic-shock syndrome.  Wax models inspired the kite-like shape of the Pearl brand of these devices.  For 10 points, name these things, the first of which was the Tampax.
Congress has failed to pass H.R. 1708, a bill named for Robin Danielson which would increase safety standards in these devices.  
tampons [prompt on feminine hygiene product; antiprompt on applicator]