'Instead SoftCup' disposable menstrual cup
Object No. 2000/21/1
'Instead SoftCup' is one of the most recent menstrual products to have been developed. Made of modern thermoplastic material it is, however, based on an idea that is not new. Different kinds of menstrual cups have been manufactured since at least the 1930s, but generally have not been a marketing success. 'Instead' cups were first released in the USA in 1996, and the manufacturer's main claims were that they moulded to a woman's internal shape, creating a seal that protected against leakage, making them especially useful on 'heavy flow days' and 'during exercise - even sexual intercourse'. Initial sales appear to have been slow but the product is still available in the USA. It has not been released in Australia.
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Summary
Object Statement
Menstrual cup, with packaging, disposable, 'Instead SoftCup', thermoplastic, Ultrafem Inc, United States of America, 1996
Physical Description
Menstrual cup, disposable, 'Instead SoftCup', thermoplastic, Ultrafem Inc., United States of America, 1996. The cup consists of a firm but flexible pink ring to which is attached, a loose, translucent diaphragm or 'cup'. The object is considered disposable, for single use only. The purple wrapper is square in shape having first been folded and heat sealed to create a centre fold, then each open end heat sealed to form a packet. It was originally one in a box of six individually wrapped cups. The wrapper has been cut open along one edge to access the cup. Photocopied advertising material is included in the blue file.
HISTORY
Notes
When the 'Instead SoftCup' was first released in the USA in 1996, the manufacturer sent a packet to Harry Finley for his Museum of Menstruation in Washington DC. As a consequence of his correspondence with the curator of health and medicine, Megan Hicks, Mr Finley donated one of the individually wrapped cups from this packet to the Powerhouse.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Gift of Mr Harry Finley, Museum of Menstruation, USA
Acquisition Date
14 February 2000
Copyright for the above image is held by the Powerhouse and may be subject to third-party copyright restrictions. Please submit an Image Licensing Enquiry for information regarding reproduction, copyright and fees. Text is released under Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivative licence.
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