How Design Has Shaped Motherhood and Reproductive Health

Summary

Podcast Summary: "How Design Has Shaped Motherhood and Reproductive Health"

Podcast: All Of It
Host: Alison Stewart (WNYC)
Date: October 8, 2025
Guests: Alexandra Schwartz & Elizabeth Kane (Co-curators, "Designing Motherhood" Exhibition at MAD)

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Overview of the Episode

This episode explores how design—spanning the smallest of objects to vast systems—has shaped the experience of motherhood, reproductive health, and parenting. Through the lens of the "Designing Motherhood" exhibition at the Museum of Arts and Design, host Alison Stewart and her guests discuss the history, impact, and sometimes the controversy around everyday items and systemic designs related to birth, contraception, pregnancy, and postpartum life. Insights from historians, designers, and listeners reveal the deep social, political, and personal implications of these products.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Central Argument of "Designing Motherhood"

• Alexandra Schwartz [03:10]:
  • The exhibition and book bring attention to reproductive health products and their broader impact, highlighting objects from menstruation to menopause.
  • “Because it concerns reproduction and really the entire arc … these items really do affect people’s health and well being. They have a big impact on people’s lives and how their bodies are thriving or not thriving.”

2. Expansive Concept of Design

• Elizabeth Kane [04:30]:
  • Design is not just about objects, but also about access, systems, and circulation.
  • The exhibition takes a “spoon to city approach”—from intimate medical devices to urban infrastructure.
  • “Design is a really expansive idea…not just the products that you’re looking at, it’s the design of access to those products by way of systems, by way of circulation.”

3. Evolution of Motherhood in Design

• Elizabeth Kane [05:52]:
  • Visitors see changing social values through objects like maternity wear; from girdles to elasticized clothing, reflecting changing attitudes toward pregnancy.
  • Historical pessaries—often alarming, like “rusty coils, a glass globe”—showcase past neglect, while modern designs like the Rhea Pessary (by an all-female team) show progress.

4. Sourcing and Tailoring the Exhibit

• Alexandra Schwartz [07:48]:
  • The curators tailored the traveling exhibition to the NYC experience—focusing on the “baby gear industrial complex,” urban stroller evolution, baby furniture, and product recalls for safety concerns.

5. Anxiety & Consumerism

• Elizabeth Kane [09:41]:
  • Design both invents solutions and preys on parental anxiety, which marketers sometimes exacerbate.
  • Some imaginative prototypes fail due to lack of commercial support, even if they could solve real problems.

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Notable Quotes & Listener Insights

Repurposing Designs & Cultural Influence

• Laura from Harlem [10:43]:

  • Describes using MOMA’s book nightlight, not marketed for mothers but essential for late nights with newborns, and a warm-light timed lamp to help with bedtime routines.

• Margaret, labor and delivery nurse [11:46]:

  • Notes lack of innovation in fetal heart monitors over 13 years; compares it to if phones remained unchanged. Expresses frustration with outdated and unreliable wireless options.

• Janet from Brooklyn [12:45]:

  • Shares story of the Snuggly baby carrier’s origin from African influences observed by Peace Corps workers, now ubiquitous in American parenting.
  • “Americans, of course, make a lot of money. They find a way to sell you something.”

Cross-Cultural Adaptations

• Alexandra Schwartz [13:49]:
  • Confirms original Snuggly's inclusion in the exhibit and highlights the adaptation of global practices to commercial U.S. products.

Self-Advocacy & Innovation Gaps

• Kelly from Fairfield, CT [16:34]:

  • Shares her positive experience with uterine ablation and questions why such non-hormonal, permanent solutions remain largely unknown.
  • “Why in the world don’t we know this? Why is this the best kept secret?”

• Alexandra Schwartz [18:04]:

  • Suggests taboos and sexism have kept many reproductive health solutions under-discussed and under-researched.

Wartime Origins of Reproductive Products

• Alexandra Schwartz [19:45]:

  • Ultrasound/sonogram technology originated as submarine detectors in WWII.
  • “It’s really fascinating how those designs have evolved into other uses.”

• Elizabeth Kane [20:33]:

  • Kotex’s cellucotton (now menstrual pads) was invented during WWI for wounds before nurses repurposed it for themselves.
  • The IUD inserter is based on Civil War-era forceps for bullet removal; modernized designs aim to provide humane, accurate tools today.

Gendered Design & User Experience

• Annie from Jackson Heights [21:25]:

  • Emphasizes emotional and practical impact of beautiful, well-designed nursing bras.

• Leah from Norwalk [22:18]:

  • Praises auto-injector devices for hormone injections during IVF; highlights changing needs and advances for solo parents.

• Joel [23:12]:

  • Applauds bouncy saucers for freeing parents’ hands and allowing child development, enables “you could take your eye off… and not have to worry about something calamitous happening.”

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Important Segments & Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:10 | Central argument: Design’s hidden impact on reproductive health | | 04:30 | “Spoon to city”: Expanding the concept of design | | 05:52 | Fashion and medical object evolution over time | | 07:48 | Curatorial process and focus on NYC baby gear | | 09:41 | How marketing leverages parental anxiety | | 11:46 | Listener: Innovation gap in fetal monitors in maternity wards | | 12:45 | Listener: Cultural origins of modern baby carriers (Snuggly) | | 13:49 | Confirming cross-cultural origin stories in the exhibit | | 16:34 | Listener: Little-known uterine ablation as a non-hormonal solution | | 19:45 | Military innovations turned to OB/GYN uses; origins of ultrasound | | 21:25 | Listener: Empowerment from attractive, user-friendly nursing wear | | 22:18 | Listener: IVF auto-injector—advancing parental autonomy | | 24:04 | Exhibit: Jolly Jumper—a Native woman’s patented infant invention | | 24:59 | The complicated, sometimes exploitative legacy of “women’s” devices | | 26:36 | Political dimensions: contraception’s iconography and controversy |

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “Design is a really expansive idea. It’s not just the products you’re looking at, it’s access, systems, and circulation.” — Elizabeth Kane [04:30]

• “You can’t pretend that anxiety and consumerism isn’t also a part of design.” — Elizabeth Kane [09:41]

• “Why in the world don’t we know this? Why is this the best kept secret?” — Kelly, caller [16:42]

• “Some designs are updated because they’ll make more money. Others are sadly neglected.” — Elizabeth Kane [14:17]

• “There are a number of designs made for women that didn’t have their best interest at heart…The Sims speculum was developed through experiments on enslaved women of color.” — Elizabeth Kane [24:59]

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The Political Dimension of Design

• Alexandra Schwartz [26:36]:
  • Nearly every reproductive health design is political: contraception was and remains controversial; many products carry the weight of taboo or societal control.
  • The original dial pack of the pill is a design icon—its circular days-of-the-week design meant to aid compliance.

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Tone and Final Thoughts

The conversation balances celebration of innovation—especially when designs are created by and for women—with a critical lens on failures, injustices, and the commercial pressures that shape what ends up in our homes and bodies. Listener stories highlight both the ingenuity and the persistent gaps or oversights in reproductive health design.

Closing Thought from Elizabeth Kane [24:59]:

“As much as we do try to shout out and really celebrate great designs in the show, that part … to make and break our births is equally important. There are a number of designs I could point to... I think it’s important to highlight those often traumatic histories alongside the really creative and inspiring correctives to them.”

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For Listeners

This episode is a must for anyone curious about the past, present, and future of design in shaping not only the practicalities but also the politics and personal experience of reproductive life—inviting all to reflect, question, and advocate for better design.

Designing Motherhood: Things that Make and Break Our Births is on view at the Museum of Arts and Design through March 15th.

Transcript

[A]

This is all of it on wnyc. I'm Alison Stewart. I'm excited to tell you about a special event that we have coming up here in just a few weeks with the brand new cast of a certain Broadway show. Here's a hint.

[B]

All aboard.

[A]

Because all of it is taking a trip to Hadestown. The beloved musical just brought in a totally new cast for all five lead roles. That's a new Hades. A new Persephone, Hermes, Orpheus, Eurydice. Here's a sneak preview of Jack Wolfe and Morgan Dudley in those roles.

[C]

Love it. Tell me if you can, who's gonna buy the wedding bands? Times being what they hot and getting hotter all the time.

[A]

Love when I sing my song all the rivers will sing along and they're.

[C]

Gonna break their banks for us and.

[A]

With their gold be generous. So get this. We're gonna have all the new cast members here at WNYC's Green Space for an epic hour of live performances. And you can be there, too. It's Broadway on the radio, live, in person and on your airwaves. And it's happening October 30th at noon. You can get your tickets by going to wnyc.org hadestown it's cheaper than a Broadway ticket and you still get right up close to the brand new cast of the Tony waiting musical hadestown. Go to wnyc.org hadestown for more information and to get your tickets before they sell out. We will see you on October 30th. That's in the future, everybody. Now, let's get this hour started with the new exhibit, Designing Motherhood. Products like disposable diapers, IUDs and breast pumps all began as ideas and designs. A new exhibition examines the relationship between design and motherhood and who's behind the design. For example, the first patented home pregnancy test was invented by a graphic designer in Jersey. And the first patented rubber nipple, now common in baby bottles, was invented by an American man in the 1840s. The show at the Museum of Arts and Design displays more than 200 objects that have shaped the experience of motherhood and our experience as consumers. Designing Motherhood Things that Make and Break Our Birth is on view now through March 15th. I have with me now Mad Co creators Alexandra Schwartz. Hi, Alex. Hi. And Elizabeth Cain. Hi, Elizabeth.

[D]

Hello.

[C]

Thanks for having us.

[A]

So this was a book that was inspired by the same title designed by two design historians. Alexandra, what is the central argument of the book and Designing the Motherhood movement?

[B]

Well, the central idea is that there are all these Objects out in the world, be they medical devices, health and wellness items, consumer products that affect reproductive health, that's true of any design. But the angle of reproductive health has really not been examined from a historical perspective in such detail before and certainly not in a museum exhibition for a show of design. It's really quite unique. So the idea behind the Designing Motherhood project is to call attention to these designs, to think about who made them, who did they make them for, which were successful, which weren't. And what's really striking about this is that because, because it concerns reproduction and really the entire arc of reproduction from menstruation to conception, contraception on through postpartum menopause, these items really do affect people's health and well being. They have a big impact on people's lives and how their bodies are thriving or not thriving.

[A]

Elizabeth what can design be helpful with when trying to understand the evolution of reproductive health?

[C]

It's such a great question because it really raises the point that we wanted to make about design as we use it in this, in this project. Design is a really expansive idea. It's not just the products that you're looking at, it's the design of access to those products by way of systems, by way of circulation. So we really wanted to take a large, large look at design. That means in the show you'll see both objects that are relating to biomet medicine, also designs relating to the built environment, architecture and really everything in between. So it's the spoon to city approach, if you will.

[A]

Listeners, especially those who are mothers or have given birth or even obgyns. What's a design related to reproductive health that stands out in your mind? It could be something designed for contraception, pregnancy, postpartum parenthood. Give us a call or text us now at 2124-3396-9221-2433. WNYC what's a design you think has been impactful or you still think needs to be improved? Our number is 2124-3396-9221-2433. WNYC in this show there are designs from different eras. Elizabeth what might we learn about motherhood and reproductive health that was considered in society by looking at these designs over time?

[C]

Well, you definitely see evolution of values, of expectations of what a preg can or should look like. And do we have an entire section of different mannequins wearing pregnancy clothing really starts with a girdle which might surprise people. Something to keep your shape while you're pregnant into the wonderful tie Waist skirt, which was popularized by Lucille Ball, of all people, who wore it as part of her television show. And then you see the utilization of elastic panels into a full Lycra jumpsuit at the very end. So thinking about, you know, how pregnant bodies move through space is one. But you really see that in a number of the designs as well. Another great example of history through present that you can see on view is the design for pessaries. Pessaries are used to treat uterine prolapse, which 1 in every 2 people with vaginas will experience in their life, whether related to postpartum complications or not. And you see some pretty hairy examples that we luckily have on loan from the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia of historical items. Certainly not things I would want in my body. Rusty coils, a glass globe, things like that. But it carries on through to a really exciting new design for the Rhea Pessary. It's made of all silicone. It was created by an all female design team. And it actually, it's a pretty exciting addition to the show because it, over the course of the exhibition, has been accepted by the FDA and is in the process of becoming commercially available. So you see it from prototype to finished product. And I think that trajectory from historical value into how can we make design better for the present really comes through in a number of different areas.

[A]

Alexandra, there are more than 200 items in this show. What was your process for sourcing the designs?

[B]

Well, it came from a lot of different directions. This is actually a traveling show that had been in several other cities and was initiated by the founders of the Designing Motherhood project. So we started with a basic list of items that include several of the things that Elizabeth was just talking about. But then we wanted to tailor it to New York City to make it kind of particular to the experience of parenthood, childbearing in New York. So we added an entire section on baby gear. We talk about it as the baby gear industrial complex, because it is. It is. There are just so many products out there. And as New York's a center for design and a center for commerce, that was particularly on our mind. So some of the additions we made include a wall of stroller design that kind of chronicles the history of stroller design, the evolution of it. Having a stroller in New York City is both a huge help and can be very, very difficult on subways and staircases and that kind of thing. So we really wanted to represent that in the show. We also have furniture related to babyhood and childbirth and a section on recalls products that were recalled because of safety reasons. And that kind of tap into both the way design can promise easier use and greater safety. But sometimes those promises don't pan out and things can end up being dangerous.

[A]

Yeah, Elizabeth, a lot of these. This exhibit reminded me of the anxiety I felt when I was pregnant. And I sort of got this sense that marketers played on that anxiety. Am I right?

[C]

Absolutely. And that's something we really wanted to call out. I mean, we absolutely celebrate the ingenuity, the idealism of designers who have made a real and important difference in people's lives. But you can't pretend that anxiety and consumerism isn't also a part of design. It's certainly why some designs get adopted and others don't. In fact, we have a section at the very end of the exhibition with some design prototypes, some of which are currently in development and some of whom I think would be great designs, but they've stalled because of lack of commercial support. Maybe they weren't financially viable. So I think that not only the anxiety, but thinking about what makes something a success can be really, really useful. And it's something to keep in mind.

[A]

My guests are Alexander Schwartz and Elizabeth Kane. They're co curators of an exhibition at the Museum of Arts and Design called Designing Motherhood and Things that make or Break Our Births. Let's get to some calls. Let's talk to Laura. Laura's calling in from Harlem. Hi, Laura, thanks for calling all of it.

[D]

Hi.

[A]

Hi.

[D]

Thanks for having me. So I want to talk about. I'm always. I'm still constantly looking for a good night light. And when I was pregnant or when I had my first child, I found a nightlight that wasn't marketed to moms or kids. And it was. I got it at moma. It's one of those book night lights that has this soft open. It's a really satisfying open, but you can have it as bright or light as you need. And when you're up at 1 3, 5, the worst thing is to, like, turn on something or not be able to find it. And this thing doesn't plug in, so I still use it to this day. And then since my kids have grown now, the search is for a night light that can help me manage bedtime. And I got this Casper timed glow that has a warm light that eventually just turns off. And I'm like, oh, can't read any more stories.

[A]

Hey, thank you for calling. Let's talk to Margaret from Manhattan. Hi, Margaret, thanks for calling all of it.

[D]

Hi. I have been I can't wait to see this exhibit, by the way. I've been a labor and delivery nurse for 13 years, and in all of those years, the monitors that we use to pick up the baby's heartbeat has not been improved. Imagine if our phones were the same for 13 years. And, like, talk about anxiety. People come in for decreased fetal movement where they're not feeling their baby move, and we have to manipulate this ultrasound all over their body. I mean, their belly. And it often takes a long time to get the heart rate on. So it just amazes me, the lack of investment in something so important. And then we have these wireless ones that hardly ever work.

[A]

Thank you so much for calling in. Let's talk to Janet from Brooklyn. Hi, Janet. Thank you so much for calling, all of it. You're on the air.

[D]

Yes, I remember maybe in the 90s or the eight, probably in the 80s, I got a Snuggly, and it had been invented by some Peace Corps workers who had gone to Africa and seen women carrying their babies on their back, and they came back to America and made a lot of money with something called the Snuggly. And since that, I had my daughter in the 80s and. And now I have grandchildren. Now I see all different versions of people having some type of carriers, wraps and all of that, because I guess people realize having the baby close to their body is very good for. For the baby. So, you know, and then I've seen other cultures in Asia do it, and. And Americans, of course, make a lot of money. They find a way to sell you something.

[A]

Absolutely. Did you want to talk about that in the exhibit?

[B]

Yeah. I'm so glad to hear you say that, because actually we have the original Snuggly design in the show, and we talk about that exact history of the Peace Corps worker who saw them and then adapted them for commercial use. So absolutely. It kind of started something in the US that had been done all over the world for many years.

[A]

Did you hear anything from our callers that you wanted to point out?

[C]

There's so many great points, and thank you all for calling in. I really love the comment about repurposing a design that might not have initially been intended for one thing, but ended up being used for another thing. It's a really clever repurposing, and it's something you see in our exhibition a lot as well. I think that kind of grassroots using what's in front of you and remaking it to what you need is a huge part of design as it relates to reproductive health. And in the absence of support or intention to solve some of these problems, people have found their own way. And I love that you're doing that as well, but to the, to the nurse as well. Thank you for your call and for calling attention to the fact that, you know, some designs are updated because they'll make more money. Others are sadly neglected. And that's a really, really great point. It's something we try to highlight as well throughout the show.

[A]

We're talking about the new exhibition at mad. It's called Designing Things that Make and Break Our Births. What product or design related to reproductive health stands out to you? It could be something you've designed for contraception, pregnancy, postpartum or parenthood. What is a design that you think has been impactful? 1. Or tell us one that you think that should be improved? Our Phone number is 2124-3396-9221-2433. WNYC. We'll be back right after a break. You are listening to all of it on wnyc. I'm Alison Stewart. My guests in studio are Alexandra Schwartz and Elizabeth Cain. They're co curators of an exhibition at the Museum of Arts and Design called Designing Motherhood Things that Make and Break Our Birth. It's on view now through March 15th. We're also hearing for you what's a product or design related to reproductive health that stands out to you? What's a design that's been impactful or one you think that should be improved? Our phone number is 2124-3396-9221-2433. WNYC. Kelly is calling in from Fairfield, Connecticut, and she has parked her car because she wants to talk to us. Kelly, you're on the air.

[D]

Hello, Allison. Thank you so much. So just very briefly, I am 57 now and at the time I was 50 of what I'm about to describe. And I was always one of these people who was pregnant or nursing all the time. So I go in to get fibroids removed, right? They generally are going to call it like, you know what, get the fibroids removed just in case. So as I'm talking with my doctor about it, my OB gyn, she's like, hey, do you want me to do an ablation? You know, while I'm in there, I'm like, what's an ablation? She's like, basically, I like laser your uterus inside. You'll never get your period again or, or get pregnant, etc, and with no, by the way, like hormonal implications. It's not like inducing. Oh, and you don't get your period. It's not inducing menopause or anything like that. It's just literally like lasers. And I said, if you can do that for me, I swear to God I'll make out with you. And we both laughed. And she did it. I'm like, I will literally make out with you. Thank you. And she did it. Don't get my period anymore. And obviously can't get pregnant anymore. So I just. My biggest thing. And then I'll leave it to you guys. But why in the world don't we know this? Why is this the best kept secret? I mean, I just don't get it. Like, there are. People are shoving IUDs, they're doing hormonal this and taking the pill, which can suck. And you know, it's just. It's sort of like, why doesn't anybody know about this?

[A]

That's an interesting point. It's something that it is brought up in the exhibition. Why don't we know about certain things?

[B]

It's a fascinating point. I think that there are a lot of reasons that go into it. You know, one just has to do with sexism, that there hasn't been as much conversation or study or publishing on a lot of these topics to do with reproductive health. And there also, in a related fashion, has been taboos about talking about it. Even in the last, you know, 10, 15 years, I think people have become a lot more open about all sorts of things to do with reproduction, from miscarriage to menopause. It's discussed a lot more than it used to be. And I think there's still a really long way to go along those lines.

[A]

Here's a text. Period underwear. Brilliant. This other text says the Baby Bjorn bouncer chairs seem to be somewhat of a timeless design. Is it featured in the exhibit?

[C]

You know, we don't have any Baby Bjorn in our exhibit, but it did. The exhibition was previously just in Stockholm, where the inventor of Baby Bjorn is a major figure there. So they did have some aspects of Baby Bjorn's output there. I think that really raises a great point, which is that our exhibition in New York has tried to make it so New York focused in a way that each of the previous venues has really had a chance to highlight their own interests in collections.

[A]

So it's really interesting because you get into the history quite a bit in the exhibition and you point out that many reproductive health products can be traced back to wartime design. What are a few examples, Alexandra?

[B]

Well, a really fascinating one is the sonogram, which is such an integral part of having a child these days. You know, getting the first sonogram of your child. They're now 3D sonograms. I remember seeing one of my son that actually looked like a person, which was incredible. But those were developed for use in World War II, and it was a way to detect submarines underwater. So it's really fascinating how those designs have evolved into other uses. But a lot of those technologies were developed under the pressure of war and then kind of adapted into everyday use.

[A]

I also heard that feminine hygiene became very significant after World War I.

[C]

Yes, cellucotton was invented as a cotton substitute that was especially absorbent for blood. The nurses who were cleverly repurposing it for their own periods during, while tending soldiers during World War I ended up leading to that commercial application that became kotex in the 1920s. And you know, another example that I find really fascinating is a brand new prototype we have in the show for the bioseptive I IUD inserter. It's an improvement upon the current technology used to insert IUDs, which is based on a technology from the Civil War tenaculum forceps, which were used to remove bullets from soldiers. So this new design is, to the earlier caller's point, an attempt to improve upon a past design that is hugely in need of an upgrade.

[A]

Let's talk to Annie from Jackson Heights. Hi, Annie. Thanks for making the time to call, all of it.

[D]

Hello. Thank you for taking my call. With my first baby, a friend gave me a nursing bra that was kind of beige and really, I just, I didn't know about nursing bras. And then that was in 2008 when I had my second child, 2011. A friend told me about this hot milk, beautiful bra. So I got myself. I think my husband ordered it. Beautiful fuchsia bra with lace. And I was better at, you know, I was better at the skill, but it really made a huge difference in just how I felt in general. So it really was a pick me up.

[A]

Thanks so much for calling and sharing that story. Let's talk to Leah from Norwalk. Hi, Leah, thanks for calling all of it.

[D]

Hi, thanks for having me. I wanted to shout out the auto injector, so I just. I'm five weeks postpartum with my second child in 20 months, and I did IVF with this baby. And my husband works out of state, so I had to do all of my shots myself. And with all the advances in reproductive endocrinology, we have A lot of people having children by themselves or having to do it themselves. And the auto injector, where you load the needle into it, made such a difference in terms of pain and accuracy and just being able to get the shot in the right spot while doing it yourself at very awkward angles.

[A]

Joel, thank you so much for calling and we're going to talk to Joel. Hi, Joel, thanks for calling in.

[D]

Hello. Can't wait to check out the exhibit. Sounds really awesome. The first invention I was going to mention may have come up while I was on hold. Did somebody speak about the bouncy saucer already?

[A]

A little bit, but you can go ahead.

[D]

I thought the bouncy saucer was transformative for the kids because when they were coming out of even before they were walking, when they were just getting out of crawling, it gave them a way to be standing. They would bounce and strengthen their legs. They were engaged by all of the toys and activities, but also it contained them and kept them from wrecking the joint. It allowed you to cook a meal. It allowed you to get something done. You could keep an eye on them, but you could take your eye off. Excuse me for a moment and not have to worry about something calamitous happening. Jill, I have one other I could mention if you like, but I can also hold on.

[A]

Well, we're gonna stop right there because we don't run out of time. But thank you for calling in. You do have way in the back. Is it a bear that's in one of the bouncy things?

[C]

Yes, and a jolly jumper. I'm so glad you noticed that. It's one of my favorite items in the show. The jolly jumper was created by Susan Olivia Poole. She actually invented it in 1910, but it wasn't patented until 1957. Growing up on the White Earth reservation in Minnesota, she had seen women suspend their cradle boards from trees to keep their babies happy. And when she turned it into a mass produced creation, she became one of the first indigenous women to get a patent in Canada. So we don't have the baby saucer, but we do have a related design. And, you know, in the end, this topic is so expansive we'll never have it all, but we hope it invites these conversations with you and with other museum goers. I've heard a lot already in the.

[A]

Galleries what was created for women that perhaps didn't have their best interest at heart.

[C]

Unfortunately, there are a number of designs that speak to that. And, you know, as much as we do try to shout out and really celebrate great designs in the show, that part, that second part of the title, to make and break our births is equally important. There are a number of designs I could point to. I think one of the most evocative is the Sims Speculum. It was designed by J. Marion Sims, who's a 19th century doctor now considered in many ways the father of gynecology. But many of his life saving creations and inventions were unfortunately made on experiments that he did on enslaved women of color. It's horrible. They weren't able to give consent, nor were they given anesthesia even when it was available. I think it's important to highlight those often traumatic histories alongside the really creative and inspiring correctives to them. So we do have an example of the SIM speculum in the case and right next to it it's accompanied by the brand new Yona Speculum prototype which was made by a group of female designers working out of the Bay Area. It's all silicone, so it's meant to not only provide more comfort and warmth for its user, but to get rid of that awful ratcheting sound that anyone who's had a trip to the ob GYN might be familiar with. The angle is designed for comfor. So I think you're very right to highlight the two sides of design that really show whether for good or for bad, that design matters and it makes a huge impact on its users lives.

[A]

Alexandra, if you had to pick out something in the exhibit which you think is political, what would it be?

[B]

Oh my goodness. It's an interesting question because really any design can be looked at from a political stance. I think one that's really interesting is contraception. Really. I mean, it's something that we take for granted now, but when it was developed it was controversial and there's still debates about it today. So we have a lot of different examples of contraception in the show. From an old fashioned diaphragm, male condoms, Frisbee.

[A]

That's huge.

[B]

Yeah, absolutely. Male condoms, female condoms, different kinds of medical contraception. And of course the original dial pack of the contraceptive pill is kind of an icon of design with that rounded shape that is designed so that people don't forget whether they've taken their pill on a certain day. It's all marked with the days of the week.

[A]

It's a really cool exhibition. It's called Designing Things that Make and Break Our Birth. Thanks to co curators Alexandra Schwartz and Elizabeth Kane. Thanks for coming by.

[C]

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