Tempo was invented in 1929 in Berlin by Oskar Rosenfelder, marking the introduction of Germany's first disposable paper handkerchief. The timing—during the Great Depression—made the innovation all the more remarkable, and the product's clear practical benefits quickly made it a household name.

So successful was Tempo that it followed in the footsteps of Aspirin and Tesa and became a generic trademark in Germany: the word 'Tempo' simply means 'tissue' to many German speakers, regardless of brand. This cultural embedding is a testament to how completely the product became part of daily life.

After passing through P&G and SCA ownership, Tempo is now part of Essity, a Swedish hygiene company. The brand remains the market leader in Germany and, for many German expats in the UK, a familiar comfort product. Genuine Tempo softness and reliability are difficult to match with generic alternatives.