We Are History A History of Contraception
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Jun 7, 2021 Explore the fascinating history of contraception, from ancient Egyptian remedies using crocodile dung to Greek herbal techniques like silphium. Discover the dangerous folk cures and how male-focused strategies often put women at risk. Learn about the evolution of condoms from cloth to latex, and the rise of birth control pioneers like Margaret Sanger. The hosts shed light on societal opposition, the development of the pill, and its impact on women's agency. A lighthearted yet informative take on a typically taboo subject!
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Absurd Contraception Tales
- Jon O'Farrell recounts absurd historical remedies like 'eat a bee' or complex mixtures to avoid pregnancy.
- These stories illustrate how desperate and inventive past remedies could be.
Condoms Evolved From Linen To Rubber
- Early condoms appear in the 1500s as linen sheaths and later animal-gut covers, primarily to prevent disease.
- Use expanded over centuries, shifting from elite luxury to wider public health tools.
Embarrassment Around Condoms Persists
- Angela Barnes and Jon O'Farrell share childhood and personal memories related to condoms and embarrassment.
- These anecdotes show social stigma around contraception persisted into recent decades.
