Don't know if the Time article mentions him--their Web site is perenially fucked up for me--but Stanford chem professor and polymath Carl Djerassi also played an important role in the Pill's development.
The only reason I am alive is because I was conceived in December, 1958, before the pill was available. The 'rents went on a day trip to Eastern WA and had to stay overnight because of snow on the passes. Mom didn't bring her diaphragm because it was just supposed to be a day trip.
Years later, as I grew older, ( I was a really late in life kid) and reviewed the family dynamics involved, I realized I was a mistake. Mom, when confronted, said harriedly "that I was a happy accident."
Despite my origins I am happy to have had a choice, myself.
Thanks for posting the article, Cienna. I got through about the first quarter of this at the dentist's office yesterday, and probably wouldn't have thought to look online for the rest. I thought you could only access stories from Time and Newsweek and the like if you were a subscriber.
Here's an interesting book review on the history of the "Pill":
http://prospect.org/cs/articles?article=…
I shall read this book.
Years later, as I grew older, ( I was a really late in life kid) and reviewed the family dynamics involved, I realized I was a mistake. Mom, when confronted, said harriedly "that I was a happy accident."
Despite my origins I am happy to have had a choice, myself.
Great article though, I'm so glad to be on the pill. So easy.