#ThrowbackThursday

#ThrowbackThursday: Margaret Sanger’s Birth Control Clinical Research Bureau, 1923

Margaret Sanger's Birth Control Clinical Research Bureau (BCCRB) (The Margaret Sanger Papers Project)

Margaret Sanger’s Birth Control Clinical Research Bureau (BCCRB) (The Margaret Sanger Papers Project)

I found this photo on The Margaret Sanger Papers Project. One post notes that Sanger founded America’s first legal birth control clinic on Jan. 2, 1923. By the 1930s, the Birth Control Clinical Research Bureau (BCCRB) served 10K+ patients per year, and “trained thousands of doctors and nurses.”

In the undated photo above, a nurse teaches other women…I assume birth control and/or family planning. I can’t say definitely if they were doctors, nurses or patients, but I’m confident they received the most accurate information of the day.

#ThrowbackThursday: “Transamerica,” 2005

Felicity Huffman as Bree in 'Transamerica' (Women Onscreen)

Felicity Huffman as Bree in ‘Transamerica’ (Women Onscreen)

In 2005’s “Transamerica,” Felicity Huffman plays Bree, a transgender woman who learns she has a son Toby (Kevin Zegers). She bails Toby out of jail, and they take a cross-country road trip where Toby learns of Bree’s true relation to him.

Huffman won the Best Actress in a Drama Golden Globe Award, and received a nomination for the Best Actress Oscar.

#ThrowbackThursday: Naomi Campbell for British “Vogue,” 2002

Naomi Campbell, 'Vogue' Magazine Aug. 2002 (Huffington Post Canada)

Naomi Campbell, ‘Vogue’ Magazine Aug. 2002 (Huffington Post Canada)

Last week, model Jourdan Dunn announced via Instagram that she’d be covering the February 2015 issue of British “Vogue.”

This is significant because it’s been over 12 years since the magazine featured a sole black model. The last time was in Aug. 2002, which Naomi Campbell covered (pictured above).

Dunn has also graced the cover in 2008, appearing with Eden Clark and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.

“Vogue” was founded as a weekly publication in 1892, went bi-weekly in 1905, and began publishing monthly in 1973. The magazine has 23 different national and regional editions.

#ThrowbackThursday: Sheik Condoms by Rudolph Valentino

Sheik Condoms (Bag The Web)

Sheik Condoms (Bag The Web)

I found this image of an interesting condom tin, and decided to do some sleuthing to find out more. Sheik condoms were part of the Durex brand, and were popular for decades before being phased out.

Some interesting history: Silver screen idol Rudolph Valentino appears on this condom tin. He played a sheik in 1921’s silent movie “The Sheik,” and it became one of his most well-known roles. When his picture appeared on Sheik condoms, prophylactic sales then skyrocketed as average men wanted to get what he had for themselves.

I’m trying to imagine any actors who’d be up for lending their faces to sell condoms, but sadly I think those days are past.

#ThrowbackThursday: Margaret Sanger’s “The Woman Rebel”

'The Woman Rebel' Volume I, Page 1

‘The Woman Rebel’ Volume I, Page 1

One hundred years ago, Margaret Sanger launched “The Woman Rebel,” a monthly newsletter that promoted contraception. (Tagline: “No Gods, No Masters.”) The newsletter popularized the now-common term “birth control” (the popular euphemism of the day was “family limitation”), and proclaimed that “each woman should be the absolute mistress of her own body.” Obviously, Sanger was way ahead of her time.

Seven issues were published before Sanger was indicted on violating postal obscenity laws in August 1914 (at the time, it was illegal to send obscene materials by mail). But this was part of her plan: Sanger wanted to provoke a legal challenge to spreading information about birth control by mail. Once indicted, she fled to England, while prepping “Family Limitation,” a more radical approach to birth control. The birth control cause stole the spotlight the next year when her estranged husband was thrown in jail for giving a copy of “Family Limitation” to a representative of anti-vice crusader Anthony Comstock.

Though Sanger’s ideas were inflammatory at the time, they laid the groundwork for modern feminism. And thank God for that.

#ThrowbackThursday: Brown University’s Sex Week 2014

Brown Sex Week 2014 Poster

Brown Sex Week 2014 Poster

WOW! I was researching for this afternoon’s blog post (it’s live in a few hours!), and stumbled on this fantastic art for Brown University’s Sex Week 2014.

Or should I say, ***Sex Week 2014. Est-ce tu aimes le sexe?

Beyoncé + sex education = Win. Every time.

Carry on.

 

#ThrowbackThursday: “Star Trek” Interracial Kiss

"Star Trek"Interracial Kiss, 1968

“Star Trek”Interracial Kiss, 1968

Science fiction has long welcomed diversity. The genre has frequently depicted cultural and social mores ahead of the time, even in post-World War II prosperity.

On Nov. 22, 1968, “Star Trek” aired the “Plato’s Stepchildren” episode. While the episode plot centers on a race of telekinetic humanoids, it’s most remembered for depicting the first interracial kiss between a Caucasian man and an African-American woman on a scripted American TV show.

Capt. James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and Lt. Nyota Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) kissed while under alien telekinesis (probably to make it more palatable for the audiences) during the episode. Later, Nichols reported that there had been some pushback from viewers, but some were supportive.

It’s safe to say the episode might’ve opened people’s minds in regards to miscegenation. Nichols singled out one such letter from a white Southerner:

“I am totally opposed to the mixing of the races. However, any time a red-blooded American boy like Captain Kirk gets a beautiful dame in his arms that looks like Uhura, he ain’t gonna fight it.”

#ThrowbackThursday: Kim Kardashian Nude in “W” Magazine, 2010 (NSFW)

Kim Kardashian, 'W' Magazine 2010

Kim Kardashian, ‘W’ Magazine 2010

Kim Kardashian’s “Paper” magazine photo shoot wasn’t the first time she’s stripped down for a magazine. That would be back in 2010 for “W” magazine and its accompanying article, “Kim Kardashian: Queen of Reality TV.”

In this shoot, her body was covered in silver paint (as above). She was reportedly upset with the result, telling her sisters Kourtney and Khloe, “I’ve definitely learned my lesson. I’m never taking my clothes off again, even if it’s for ‘Vogue.’” But later it’s reported she changed her mind and was proud of her photos.

Apparently, that only lasted a few years.

 

 

#ThrowbackThursday: German “Aquaglide” Ad

Aquaglide ads

Aquaglide ads

I found this pair of ads for “Aquaglide,” and realized, on further inspection, that they were in German. I already prefer these ads to most ads I see in the US.

Turns out it’s a line from German sex company Joy Division, which features a line of flavored lubes (which the ad references).

Makes me want to check out a new product, don’t you think?

 

#ThrowbackThursday: ‘”Playboy” Halloween Party

'Playboy' Halloween Party

‘Playboy’ Halloween Party

Does it surprise anyone that Hugh Hefner throws an annual Halloween bash? Because it shouldn’t. (Full disclosure and no joke, the man is one of my personal heroes.)

I love that this picture shows the old “Girls Next Door” crowd: Kendra Wilkinson, Bridget Marquardt, and Holly Madison. Those were some great seasons.