Health & Medicine

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.

Orthoclone OKT3 prevents rejection of new tissues in patients who have received kidney grafts.
Description (Brief)
Orthoclone OKT3 prevents rejection of new tissues in patients who have received kidney grafts. It was the first drug created through monoclonal antibody technology to be approved for human use.
Monoclonal antibody technology uses specially made cells as tiny factories to pump out pure sources of a single antibody. Prior to its development, it was very difficult to isolate large amounts of a single antibody for therapeutic use.
Monoclonal antibody cells are created by fusing two cells of different origins. One cell, from a mouse's spleen, produces the antibody. The other cell, from a tumor, has the ability to replicate continuously. By fusing the two cells, a new cell is created which has the best characteristics of both-it produces the antibody and also grows quickly. These new cells produce large amounts of pure antibodies which are harvested for use in drugs like Orthoclone OKT3.
The object is a clear glass 5 mL ampule with a blue ring around the neck and a clear label with blue printing. It is housed in a formfitting plastic case with snap top and snap sides.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1986
maker
Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
ID Number
1987.0780.01
accession number
1987.0780
catalog number
1987.0780.01
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1986
expiration date
1986-06-27
maker
Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
ID Number
1988.0655.02
accession number
1988.0655
catalog number
1988.0655.02
The Ovutime Ovulation Test, which indicated the presence of the luteinizing hormone (LH) associated with ovulation, was on the market by 1986.
Description
The Ovutime Ovulation Test, which indicated the presence of the luteinizing hormone (LH) associated with ovulation, was on the market by 1986. According to claims on the package, the test “accurately predicts the time of ovulation up to 36 hours in advance.” Moreover, “Although OVUTIME provided valuable information about the time of ovulation, the results are not intended for contraception purposes.” The Ovutime Ovulation Test was distributed by Advanced Care Products, a Division of Ortho Pharmaceutical Corp.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1986
product expiration date
1986-12
maker
Advanced Care Products
Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
ID Number
1988.0655.17
catalog number
1988.0655.17
accession number
1988.0655
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.
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.
The Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation of Raritan, New Jersey, produced this Ortho-Novum 7/7/7 brand oral contraceptive around 1984. The monthly dosage is in a 28-pill DialPak dispenser. The 7/7/7 referred to the three weeks of 7 active pills. Each week consists of varying ratios of norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol, followed by 7 inert pills to finish the 28-day cycle. This contraceptive pack was distributed as a physician’s sample, not for sale.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1985-1988
product expiration date
1988-07
maker
Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
ID Number
1988.0655.04
catalog number
1988.0655.04
accession number
1988.0655
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.
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.
The Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation of Raritan, New Jersey, produced this Ortho-Novum 7/7/7 brand oral contraceptive around 1984. The monthly dosage is in a 21-pill DialPak dispenser. The 7/7/7 referred to the three weeks of 7 active pills. Each week consists of varying ratios of norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol. This monthly regimen consists of only 21 pills, omitting the 7 inert pills at the end of the month. The contraceptive pack was distributed as a physician’s sample, not for sale.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1984
product expiration date
1988-07
maker
Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
ID Number
1988.0655.05
catalog number
1988.0655.05
accession number
1988.0655
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.
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.
The Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation of Raritan, New Jersey, produced this Micronor brand oral contraceptive around 1971. The 35 pills are in a DialPak dispenser. When the user turns the dial to dispense the next pill, the wheel in the center displays the next day of the week. The pills are dispensed sideways to accommodate the 35 pills in the cycle.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1971
maker
Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
ID Number
1982.0531.030
accession number
1982.0531
catalog number
1982.0531.030
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.
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.
The Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation of Manati, Puerto Rico, produced this Ortho-Novum 10/11 brand oral contraceptive around 1981. The monthly dosage is in a 28-pill DialPak dispenser and consists of 10 white tablets of estrogen, 11 peach tablets of combination estrogen and progesterone pills, and 7 green inert pills. The contraceptives are packaged in a blue foil wrapper as a physician’s sample that was not for sale.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1981
maker
Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
ID Number
1988.0655.03
catalog number
1988.0655.03
accession number
1988.0655
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1976
copyright date (product packaging)
1976
maker
Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
ID Number
2017.0027.01
catalog number
2017.0027.01
accession number
2017.0027
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1976
ca 1978
copyright date (product packaging)
1974
expiration date
1978-04
maker
Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
ID Number
2017.0027.03
catalog number
2017.0027.03
accession number
2017.0027
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1976
copyright date (product packaging)
1976
maker
Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
ID Number
2017.0027.02
catalog number
2017.0027.02
accession number
2017.0027
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.
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.
The Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation of Raritan, New Jersey produced this Ortho-Novum SQ brand oral contraceptive around 1965. The DialPak, introduced by Ortho in 1963, was the first contraceptive packaging to incorporate a “memory aid.” When the user turned the dial to dispense the next pill, the blue wheel in the center would advance to display the next day of the week. The pack includes three cycles of 20 pills.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1965
maker
Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
ID Number
1982.0531.029
accession number
1982.0531
catalog number
1982.0531.029
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.
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.
Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation of Raritan, New Jersey, produced this Micronor brand oral contraceptive around 1973. The 35 green pills are contained in Ortho’s trademarked DialPak dispenser. The DialPak, introduced in 1963, was the first oral contraceptive package to incorporate a “memory aid,” which Ortho advertised as “the package that remembers for her.” The center wheel of the DialPak reveals the day of the week and aligns with a pill on the outer ring. When the user turned the dial to dispense the next pill, the wheel in the center would advance a day, allowing the user to see if she had taken her pill.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1971
maker
Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
ID Number
1981.0760.032
accession number
1981.0760
catalog number
1981.0760.032
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.
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.
The Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation of Raritan, New Jersey, produced this ModiCon brand oral contraceptive around 1977. The foil package contains a 21-pill Dialpak dispenser. Ortho trademarked the term DialPak in 1965, and was the first company to release their medication in a memory-aid device, now ubiquitous among makers of oral contraceptives.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1976-1977
maker
Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
ID Number
1981.0760.034.B
accession number
1981.0760
catalog number
1981.0760.034.B
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.
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.
The Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation of Raritan, New Jersey, produced this Ortho-Novum SQ brand oral contraceptive around 1965. Ortho was the first company to dispense its contraceptives in “compliance packaging.” Packaging such as this DialPak helped patients comply with their doctor’s order to take their pill daily, and advertised itself as “the package that remembers for her.” When the user turned the dial to dispense their next pill, the wheel in the center would display the day of the week, allowing the her to see if she had taken her pill that day. This regimen contained 14 white and 6 blue pills that had to be taken in order to be effective. The back of the DialPak contains instructions on how to use the DialPak.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1970
maker
Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
ID Number
1981.0760.044
accession number
1981.0760
catalog number
1981.0760.044
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.
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.
The Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation of Raritan, New Jersey, produced this ModiCon brand oral contraceptive around 1977. The foil package contains a 21-pill Dialpak dispenser. Ortho trademarked the term DialPak in 1965, and was the first company to release their medication in a memory-aid device, now ubiquitous among makers of oral contraceptives.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1977-1980
maker
Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
ID Number
1981.0760.034.A
catalog number
1981.0760.034.A
accession number
1981.0760
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.
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.
The Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation of Raritan, New Jersey, produced this Ortho-Novum 1/80 brand oral contraceptive in 1974. The 28-pill regimen came in Ortho’s patented DialPak dispenser. The dispenser displays the day of the week, which changes as the patient rotates the rim to dispense the next day’s pill. To maintain the routine of taking a daily pill, many manufacturers began including a fourth week of pills that were inert. This Ortho-Novum regimen contains 28 pills, including 7 tablets that were inert.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1974
maker
Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
ID Number
1981.0760.043
accession number
1981.0760
catalog number
1981.0760.043
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.
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.
The Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation of Raritan, New Jersey, produced this ModiCon brand oral contraceptive around 1977. The foil package contains a 21-pill Dialpak dispenser. Ortho trademarked the term DialPak in 1965, and was the first company to release their medication in a memory-aid device, now ubiquitous among makers of oral contraceptives.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1978-1979
product expiration date
1979-12
maker
Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
ID Number
2002.0136.150
accession number
2002.0136
catalog number
2002.0136.150
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.
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.
The Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation of Raritan, New Jersey, produced this Ortho-Tri-Cyclen 28-pill oral contraceptive around 1999. The pills are in a blister pack that fits into a pink plastic DialPak dispenser. A foil pack with one blister pack refill ring is included.The center dial in the Dialpak was set by the user to the first day of the pill cycle before inserting the blister pack refill. Each subsequent pill was dispensed on the correct day through the bottom of the DialPak.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1999
maker
Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
ID Number
2000.0090.14
accession number
2000.0090
catalog number
2000.0090.14
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.
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.
The Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation of Raritan, New Jersey, produced this Ortho-Tri-Cyclen 28 oral contraceptive around 1992. The 28-pill regimen is in a red foil wrapper that contains a DialPak dispenser and a booklet entitled “Questions and answers on Ortho-Cyclen tablets.” Ortho trademarked the term DialPak in 1965, and was the first company to release their medication in a memory-aid device, now ubiquitous among makers of oral contraceptives.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1994-1996
product expiration date
1996-12
maker
Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
Diosynth bv
ID Number
2004.0118.08
accession number
2004.0118
catalog number
2004.0118.08
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.
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.
The Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation of Raritan, New Jersey, produced this Ortho-Tri-Cyclen 28 oral contraceptive around 1996. The pills are in a ring-shaped blister pack that fits into a blue and white plastic compact. The inside lid of the compact had a space for a prescription label and notes the patent number for the compact, 4,165,708. A black arrow in the center points to the days of the week around the wheel. This allowed the user to set the day of her first pill and track her daily use from there. This prescription contains 28 pills: 7 green pills, 14 blue pills, and 7 white pills. The package includes directions for use.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1996
maker
Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
ID Number
2000.0090.12
accession number
2000.0090
catalog number
2000.0090.12
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.
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
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.
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.
The Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation of Raritan, New Jersey, marketed the Personal Pak pill case in 2000. Women could choose from six different cases, including this “Garnet” style. The Personal Pak was used in conjunction with the Ortho Cyclen and Ortho Tri-Cyclen brand birth control pills, which came in a blister pack ring that allowed the Personal Pak to be refilled every month.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2000
maker
Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
ID Number
2000.0090.15.2
accession number
2000.0090
catalog number
2000.0090.15.2
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.
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.
The Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation of Raritan, New Jersey, produced this Ortho-Novum SQ brand oral contraceptive around 1965. This monthly prescription of 21 pills (14 white and 7 blue) are contained in Ortho’s trademarked DialPak dispenser. The DialPak, introduced in 1963, was the first oral contraceptive package to incorporate a “memory aid” which Ortho advertised as “the package that remembers for her.” The center wheel of the DialPak reveals the day of the week and aligns with a pill on the outer ring. When the user turned the dial to dispense the next pill, the wheel in the center advanced a day, allowing the user to see if she had taken her pill.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1970
maker
Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
ID Number
2000.0090.02
accession number
2000.0090
catalog number
2000.0090.02
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.
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.
The Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation of Raritan, New Jersey, produced this Micronor brand oral contraceptive around 1978. This monthly prescription of 28 pills are contained in Ortho’s trademarked DialPak dispenser. The DialPak, introduced in 1963, was the first oral contraceptive package to incorporate a “memory aid,” and Ortho advertised it as “the package that remembers for her.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1981-1984
product expiration date
1984-04
maker
Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
ID Number
2002.0136.001
accession number
2002.0136
catalog number
2002.0136.001

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