Buried History: The Feminist Birth of the Home Pregnancy Test

Update: 2025-05-08

Digest

This episode delves into the complex world of climate-conscious investing, tracing its evolution from early attempts to address climate change through Wall Street to the backlash it faced from the oil industry and dark money groups. The episode then shifts focus to Margaret Crane, a graphic designer who revolutionized women's reproductive healthcare by inventing the first home pregnancy test in the 1960s. Despite facing resistance from the medical community and her own company, Crane's invention empowered women by giving them greater control over their reproductive health. The episode highlights the challenges Crane faced as a woman in a male-dominated field, showcasing the systemic biases and obstacles that often hinder women's contributions in science and technology.

Outlines

00:00:00

Climate-Conscious Investing: A History of Resistance

This chapter explores the rise and fall of climate-conscious investing, examining how Wall Street's initial efforts faced backlash from the oil industry and dark money groups.

00:00:58

Margaret Crane: The Woman Who Revolutionized Home Pregnancy Tests

This chapter tells the story of Margaret Crane, a graphic designer who invented the first home pregnancy test in the 1960s. Despite facing resistance from the medical community and her own company, Crane's invention revolutionized women's reproductive healthcare.

Keywords

Climate-conscious investing

Investing strategies that prioritize environmental sustainability and social responsibility, aiming to mitigate climate change and promote ethical business practices.

Dark money

Political spending by undisclosed donors, often used to influence elections and public policy without transparency.

Home pregnancy test

A medical device that allows women to determine pregnancy at home, eliminating the need for doctor visits and lab tests.

Lost Women of Science

A podcast and radio show that highlights the contributions of women in science and technology, often overlooked in traditional historical narratives.

Reproductive rights

The right of individuals to make decisions about their own bodies and reproductive health, including access to contraception, abortion, and information about sexual health.

Q&A

What were the initial challenges faced by climate-conscious investing on Wall Street?
Wall Street's early efforts to address climate change through investing faced backlash, with opposition from the oil industry and dark money groups.
How did Margaret Crane's invention of the home pregnancy test revolutionize women's healthcare?
Crane's invention gave women greater control over their reproductive health by allowing them to determine pregnancy at home, eliminating the need for doctor visits and lab tests.
Why did Margaret Crane receive limited recognition for her invention despite its significant impact?
Crane's contributions were largely overlooked by her company and the broader scientific community, highlighting the systemic biases and challenges faced by women in STEM fields.

Show Notes

Today, we take it for granted that you can buy a home pregnancy test at the pharmacy. Before the end of the 1970s, this was not the case. Then along came Margaret Crane, a young designer working for a pharmaceutical company. Looking at the rows of pregnancy tests in the lab one day in 1965, she thought, “Well, women could do that at home!” But Crane faced an uphill battle to convince the pharmaceutical companies, the medical community, and conservative social leaders that at-home pregnancy testing was safe and necessary.

This podcast first aired in 2014, when Margaret Crane’s role in the development of the home pregnancy test was eventually recognized. Almost 10 years later, Crane’s experience remains relevant as women continue to fight for their reproductive rights. Making Contact is a radio show and podcast from Frequencies of Change Media.

For a full list of the episode credits, go to: Buried History: The Feminist Birth of the Home Pregnancy Test.

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