The Observer, September 15, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 3
Tone's contraceptives talk excites audience
Whether we like it or not, sex is part of all our lives. Sex is responsible for our very existence from a biological standpoint, and some would argue that sex is the very essence of our beings from a social perspective as well. Unless sex is being discussed solely in an abstinence-only capacity, there is little that can be said about it without including a discussion of contraceptives and other measures used to prevent unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.
And what better place to discuss these issues than a college campus rampant with the raging hormones of mechanical engineers and computer scientists? In this spirit of science and research, the Dittrick Museum hosted a guest speaker, who proved to be quite the expert on the history and use of contraceptives.
Last Thursday evening, historian, author, and esteemed McGill University professor Andrea Tone impressed her audience of students, faculty, staff, and members of the surrounding community with her lecture entitled "Bodies of Evidence: Uncovering the Lost History of Contraceptives in America."
From the beginning of Tone's discussion of the history of contraceptives in America, the appropriateness of the lecture's title became apparent. Tone provided a brief synopsis of some of the "bodies of evidence" she was able to uncover during her research as a contraceptive detective, from plastic caps to antiseptic solution. The extent of her detective work is a testament to the "lost history" of the use of contraceptives in America. In order to uncover some of this history, Tone dug her way through personal letters, arrest records, and other similar forms of documentation from the last few centuries. These artifacts serve as proof that, despite our history books' omission of stories about their use, contraceptives have existed for hundreds of years. Tone was able to share with her audience a thorough but brief history of the use of contraceptives, ranging from the innovative use of animal intestines as illegal condoms in 19th century New York to various forms of modern day birth control, like "the pill" and "the ring." Holding the audience's attention in the palm of her hand, Tone used biographical accounts of "condom crime," which occurred during periods when individuals were unable to obtain birth control legally, to emphasize the important role contraceptive use has played in our country's history. Similarly, she offered heartwarming stories of mothers down on their knees, praising the availability of safe and effective methods of birth control.
After a few horrific tales concerning "Lysol douches" and an innovative use for crocodile dung, Tone shed some light on a few of the implications of the "lost history" of the use of contraceptives. For instance, she encouraged her audience to speculate as to why our history textbooks are missing the "rags to riches" stories of condom manufacturers or the heart-wrenching stories of women harming themselves when legal birth control was not available. Throughout history, the vacillating legality of various forms of birth control has rendered the topic controversial. Even today, birth control continues to be a difficult subject for many people to talk about due to its political nature. When discussions on the subject do occur, they tend to neglect the importance of our country's historical relationship with the use of contraceptives. A closer look at this history, as it was offered by Tone, emphasizes the way in which contraceptive use is intertwined with a range of social issues from religious beliefs and world views to medical developments and women's rights.
Clearly, Tone's audience was impressed with both the subject matter and the delivery of her lecture. Many members of the audience were eager to learn more and patiently waited to speak personally with her during the reception that followed the event.
