1839
Charles Goodyear revolutionized condom production by inventing rubber vulcanization which is the process where sulfur and natural rubber are heated together to form a more malleable and durable material with a higher elasticity and tensile strength
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1882
"Dr C Hasse (pseudonym was Wilhelm Mesinga) credited with inventing the diaphragm" in Europe. The diaphragm works with a spermicide (sperm killers) and blocks sperm from getting to the uterus.
1900s
Ernst Grafenberg, a German gynecologist, invented the IUD, which is a plastic/copper device inserted into the uterus and releases progesterone in order to prevent pregnancy
Late 1950's
Gregory Pincus and other scientists created the first birth control pill called Enovid in order to promote family planning and control population. It was approved by the FDA on May 10, 1960
2010-2016
Vasagel, a male birth control alternative to condoms, is in development. Vasagel works by inserting a solution into the vas deferens which blocks sperm from exiting the body.
Around 1850 B.C.E
Ancient Egyptians made vaginal suppositories out of acacia leaves and honey in order to block sperm from reaching the egg
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Timeline of reproductive technology
Find out about the historical people and inventions of reproductive technology
July 25, 1978
Louis Brown, the very first test tube baby was born successfully using in-vitro fertilization and sparked an outrage from religious communities
2016
The first baby with three parents is born with the assist of Dr. Zhang. This was done by removing the mother's egg nucleus and inserting it into a donor egg cell. The egg cell with the mother's nucleus is then fertilized with the dad's sperm.
April 24, 2005
Snuppy, the world's first dog is cloned by South Korean scientists at Seoul National University using adult somatic cell nuclear transfer
1906
Friedrich Merz developed the first commercially produced spermicidal jelly, called Patentex. This jelly is inserted near the cervix with an applicator.
