IUDs were first documented in 1909, when German physician Richard Richter described inserting a ring made of silkworm gut into the uterus as a contraceptive device. In the 1920s, Ernst Gräfenberg’s ring became the first IUD to see broader clinical use, and modern T‑shaped plastic and copper designs emerged in the late 1960s.
Early origins
- The earliest published report is from 1909: Richard Richter inserted a silkworm‑gut ring and described its use for contraception, establishing the first human intrauterine contraceptive device in the medical literature.
- These early devices were simple rings or loops intended to act as a foreign body in the uterus to prevent pregnancy, but they were not widely adopted at that time.
Gräfenberg ring era
- In the 1920s, Ernst Gräfenberg developed the Gräfenberg ring, initially silk loops later wrapped with silver wire, which became the first IUD used by a significant number of women.
- The Gräfenberg ring was introduced around 1929 and saw use into the 1930s before falling out of favor by about 1939 due to concerns and evolving contraceptive practices.
Modern designs
- The plastic T‑shaped IUD was conceived by Howard Tatum in 1967–1968 to better fit uterine anatomy and reduce expulsions, marking a pivotal modernization of IUD design.
- Shortly thereafter, Jaime Zipper’s introduction of copper significantly improved contraceptive effectiveness, leading to the family of copper T devices that became standard in subsequent decades.
Key timeline
- 1909: Richter’s silkworm‑gut ring, first documented human IUD insertion.
- 1920s–1930s: Gräfenberg ring gains wider clinical use, introduced circa 1929.
- Late 1960s: Tatum’s T‑shaped plastic IUD and Zipper’s copper enhancement usher in modern IUDs.
