Health & Medicine - Overview
The Museum's collections of medical science artifacts represent nearly all aspects of health and medical practice. Highlights include early X-ray apparatuses, such as one of Wilhelm Roentgen's tubes, penicillin mold from Alexander Fleming’s experiments, and Jonas Salk's original polio vaccine. More recent acquisitions include the first artificial heart implanted in a human, the earliest genetically engineered drugs, and materials related to David, the "Bubble Boy." Other artifacts range from artificial limbs and implant devices to bloodletting and dental instruments, beauty products, and veterinary equipment. The contents of a medieval apothecary shop and an 1890s drugstore form part of the collections, along with patent and alternative medicines. The collections also document the many differing perspectives on health and medical issues, from patients, family members, doctors, nurses, medical students, and out-of-the-mainstream health practitioners.
"Health & Medicine - Overview" showing 6 items.
Desogen Oral Contraceptives
- Description (Brief)
- The popularity of “the Pill” created a new market for pharmaceutical companies. For the first time, healthy women would be taking medication for an extended period of time. Pill manufacturers developed unique packaging in order to distinguish their product from those of their competitors and build brand loyalty. Packaging design often incorporated a “memory aid” to assist women in tracking their daily pill regimen, as well as styled cases to allow pills to be discreetly carried in bags and purses. The National Museum of American History’s Division of Medicine and Science’s collection of oral contraceptives illustrates some of the changes that the packaging and marketing of the Pill underwent from its inception in 1960 to the present.
- Organon International of Oss, Holland, produced this Desogen oral contraceptive at their American subsidiary in West Orange, New Jersey, around 1993. This professional sample of Desogen is in a sealed foil wrapper that contains a tablet dispenser with 21 white hormonal tablets and 7 inert green tablets.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1993
- maker
- Organon Inc.
- ID Number
- 2004.0118.01
- catalog number
- 2004.0118.01
- accession number
- 2004.0118
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Jenest-28 Oral Contraceptives
- Description (Brief)
- The popularity of “the Pill” created a new market for pharmaceutical companies. For the first time, healthy women would be taking medication for an extended period of time. Pill manufacturers developed unique packaging in order to distinguish their product from those of their competitors and build brand loyalty. Packaging design often incorporated a “memory aid” to assist women in tracking their daily pill regimen, as well as a discreetly designed case for easy carrying in bags and purses. The National Museum of American History’s Division of Medicine and Science’s collection of oral contraceptives illustrates some of the changes that the packaging and marketing of the Pill underwent from its inception in 1960 to the present.
- The Ortho Pharmaceutical Corp. produced this Jenest-28 brand oral contraceptive for Organon Inc. of West Orange, New Jersey, around 1995. The foil wrapper contains a physician’s sample of Jenest-28, consisting of 21 hormonal tablets and seven inert green tablets. The pills were dispensed in a “cyclic tablet dispenser.”
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1995
- maker
- Organon Inc.
- Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
- ID Number
- 2004.0118.03
- accession number
- 2004.0118
- catalog number
- 2004.0118.03
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Desogen Remember Me Oral Contraceptive Compliance Kit
- Description (Brief)
- The popularity of “the Pill” created a new market for pharmaceutical companies. For the first time, healthy women would be taking medication for an extended period of time. Pill manufacturers developed unique packaging in order to distinguish their product from those of their competitors and build brand loyalty. Packaging design often incorporated a “memory aid” to assist women in tracking their daily pill regimen, as well as styled cases to allow pills to be discreetly carried in bags and purses. The National Museum of American History’s Division of Medicine and Science’s collection of oral contraceptives illustrates some of the changes that the packaging and marketing of the Pill underwent from its inception in 1960 to the present.
- Organon International of Oss, Holland, produced this Desogen Remember Me Compliance Kit around 1993. The kit contains a package of contraceptives, a toothbrush, and a small bar of soap. There is a “Remember Me” sticker meant to be affixed to the bathroom mirror. The box bears the slogan “Brush your teeth, wash your face, take your pill . . . once a day. Everyday. At the Same Time.” This professional sample of Desogen is still in its foil wrapper, which contained a tablet dispenser with 21 white hormonal tablets and 7 inert green tablets. The 28-pill monthly dosage is arranged in four weekly rows of seven pills in the blister pack and came with a slipcover.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1993
- maker
- Organon Inc.
- N.V. Organon
- ID Number
- 2004.0118.12
- accession number
- 2004.0118
- catalog number
- 2004.0118.12
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Cyclessa 28 Day Oral Contraceptives
- Description (Brief)
- The popularity of “the Pill” created a new market for pharmaceutical companies. For the first time, healthy women would be taking medication for an extended period of time. Pill manufacturers developed unique packaging in order to distinguish their product from those of their competitors and build brand loyalty. Packaging design often incorporated a “memory aid” to assist women in tracking their daily pill regimen, as well as styled cases to allow pills to be discreetly carried in bags and purses. The National Museum of American History’s Division of Medicine and Science’s collection of oral contraceptives illustrates some of the changes that the packaging and marketing of the Pill underwent from its inception in 1960 to the present.
- Organon International of Oss, Holland, produced this Cyclessa oral contraceptive at their American subsidiary in West Orange, New Jersey, around 2003. The blue foil wrapper contains a professional sample consisting of a 28-day monthly regimen of pills, including 7 inert pills.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 2003
- maker
- Organon Inc.
- ID Number
- 2004.3030.20
- accession number
- 2004.3030
- catalog number
- 2004.3030.20
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Desogen 28 day Oral Contraceptives
- Description (Brief)
- The popularity of “the Pill” created a new market for pharmaceutical companies. For the first time, healthy women would be taking medication for an extended period of time. Pill manufacturers developed unique packaging in order to distinguish their product from those of their competitors and build brand loyalty. Packaging design often incorporated a “memory aid” to assist women in tracking their daily pill regimen, as well as styled cases to allow pills to be discreetly carried in bags and purses. The National Museum of American History’s Division of Medicine and Science’s collection of oral contraceptives illustrates some of the changes that the packaging and marketing of the Pill underwent from its inception in 1960 to the present.
- Organon International of Oss, Holland, produced this Desogen oral contraceptive at their American subsidiary in West Orange, New Jersey, around 2002. The purple foil wrapper contains a professional sample consisting of a 28-day monthly regimen of pills, including 7 inert pills. Many companies included a fourth week of inert pills so women could maintain their routine of taking a daily pill.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 2002
- maker
- Organon Inc.
- ID Number
- 2004.3030.21
- accession number
- 2004.3030
- catalog number
- 2004.3030.21
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Mircette 28 Day Oral Contraceptives
- Description (Brief)
- The popularity of “the Pill” created a new market for pharmaceutical companies. For the first time, healthy women would be taking medication for an extended period of time. Pill manufacturers developed unique packaging in order to distinguish their product from those of their competitors and build brand loyalty. Packaging design often incorporated a “memory aid” to assist women in tracking their daily pill regimen, as well as styled cases to allow pills to be discreetly carried in bags and purses. The National Museum of American History’s Division of Medicine and Science’s collection of oral contraceptives illustrates some of the changes that the packaging and marketing of the Pill underwent from its inception in 1960 to the present.
- Organon International of Oss, Holland, produced this Mircette oral contraceptive at their American subsidiary in West Orange, New Jersey, around 2003. The yellow foil wrapper contains a professional sample consisting of a 28-day monthly regimen of pills, including seven inert pills. Many companies included a fourth week of inert pills so women could maintain their routine of taking a daily pill.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 2003
- maker
- Organon Inc.
- ID Number
- 2004.3030.37
- accession number
- 2004.3030
- catalog number
- 2004.3030.37
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center