Event

Predictor Unveiled | The First Reliable Home Pregnancy Test & its Little-Known Connection to Montreal

Tuesday, May 7, 2019 17:00to19:00
McLennan Library Building Rare Books and Special Collections, 4th floor, Colgate Room, 3459 rue McTavish, Montreal, QC, H3A 0C9, CA
Caroline Boileau, dessin tiré du livre Gravidités, Corps qui hantent d'autres corps, Bibliothèque Osler, 2018-2019
Image by Caroline Boileau, dessin tiré du livre Gravidités, Corps qui hantent d'autres corps, Bibliothèque Osler, 2018-2019.

A roundtable discussion featuring inventor Meg Crane (NYC), Prof. Jenna Healey (Queens Univ.), Prof. Christabelle Sethna (Univ. Ottawa), and Prof. Alanna Thain (McGill Univ.).

The Osler Library was recently able to acquire an original Predictor home pregnancy test kit from its inventor, New York graphic designer Margaret (Meg) Crane. Compared to abortion and the pill, the history of pregnancy testing has barely been explored. Moreover, it is not well known that Predictor, soon to turn fifty, was manufactured in Montreal and test-marketed in Canada in 1971, a full seven years before home pregnancy tests were permitted on the American market. Given the crucial role played by Montreal, it is fitting that this roundtable discussion will bring together experts in medical history and gender studies with Crane herself to discuss the origins of home pregnancy testing and its little-known connection to Montreal.

RSVP required. To RSVP, click here.

Panelists:

- Alanna Thain, Professor of English and Director, Institute of Gender, Sexuality and Feminist Studies, McGill University 

- Christabelle Sethna, Professor in the Institute of Feminist and Gender Studies, University of Ottawa

- Jenna Healey, Assistant Professor and Jason A. Hannah Chair in History of Medicine, Queens University

- Meg Crane, Graphic designer and inventor of the Predictor, New York City

A light reception will follow.


Main image credit: Caroline Boileau, dessin tiré du livre Gravidités, Corps qui hantent d'autres corps, Bibliothèque Osler, 2018-2019

 

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