'Prorace' cervical cap, London, England, 1920-1950

Made:
1920-1950 in London
maker:
John Bell and Croyden Limited
and
Marie Stopes
Rubber cervical cap, called "Prorace"

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Rubber cervical cap, called "Prorace"
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Rubber cervical cap, called "Prorace", with tab for easy removal, size 1, by John Bell Croyden Ltd., English

The ‘Prorace’ brand of contraceptives was developed by Dr Marie Stopes (1880-1958). They were distributed by the Mother’s Clinic, which opened in London in 1921. This cervical cap is a barrier contraceptive. It sits across the top of the vagina and acts as a barrier to sperm entering the uterus. The trademarked ‘Prorace’ is related to Stopes’ belief in eugenics. This widely held theory in the early 1900s argued selective breeding could remove ‘undesirables’ from society. The ‘Prorace’ cervical cap has a tab for easy removal. It was manufactured by John Bell and Croyden Limited of London.

Details

Category:
Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Contraception
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A606509
Materials:
rubber (unidentified) and complete
Measurements:
overall: 35 mm 43 mm, .01kg
type:
cervical cap
credit:
Marie Stopes Memorial Foundation