Margaret Crane
Margaret Crane
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Overview

Margaret Crane (Margaret M) is an American designer and inventor best known for creating the first home pregnancy test, 'Predictor.' Her story is one of ingenuity, perseverance, and challenging the status quo in a male-dominated industry. This timeline highlights key moments in her life, charting her path from a young, curious individual to a groundbreaking innovator who revolutionized women's healthcare.
Main Milestones
Early Childhood and Education
1940s
Born in the 1940s, Margaret's early life instilled in her a strong sense of curiosity and a drive to understand how things work. While specific details of her childhood are less publicly known, her later career suggests a natural aptitude for problem-solving and a willingness to question conventional approaches, qualities nurtured in her formative years.
Work at Organon Pharmaceuticals
Late 1960s
Margaret started working as a graphic designer at Organon Pharmaceuticals in the late 1960s. This position exposed her to the world of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, laying the groundwork for her future invention. She observed the lab technicians conducting pregnancy tests using test tube racks and reagents, a process that seemed cumbersome and inaccessible to the average woman.
Inspiration for the Home Pregnancy Test
1967
While observing the pregnancy testing procedures at Organon, Margaret had a pivotal moment of inspiration. She realized that the components of the test could be simplified and packaged for home use, empowering women to determine their pregnancy status privately and conveniently. The existing method was lab-based and took time, she realized a simpler more immediate test could give women an option to test in the privacy of their own home.
Development of the 'Predictor' Prototype
1968
Working from her New York City apartment, Margaret meticulously developed a prototype for a home pregnancy test. She cleverly assembled the components, utilizing a test tube inside a cardboard holder, resembling a thermometer. This compact and user-friendly design was a radical departure from the existing clinical procedures, and it was a huge leap forward.
Presentation to Organon Management
1969
Margaret presented her 'Predictor' prototype to Organon's management. Initially, her idea faced skepticism and resistance, partly due to the prevailing societal norms and gender biases within the pharmaceutical industry. She persevered in advocating for the potential of her invention, highlighting its benefits for women's health and empowerment.
Market Introduction of 'Predictor'
Early 1970s
Despite the initial resistance, 'Predictor' was eventually approved and introduced to the market in Europe in the early 1970s. It was the first home pregnancy test available to consumers, giving women unprecedented control over their reproductive health. It quickly gained popularity.
FDA Approval and US Market Launch
1976
Following a lengthy regulatory process, 'Predictor' received FDA approval and was launched in the United States in 1976. This marked a significant milestone, making the convenience and privacy of home pregnancy testing accessible to American women. It changed the landscape of reproductive healthcare.
Continued Design and Innovation
Later Career and Legacy
Following the success of 'Predictor,' Margaret continued to work in design and innovation, although specific details of her later career are not as widely publicized. Her invention paved the way for numerous advancements in home diagnostics and empowered women worldwide. She is remembered as a design innovator and an inventor ahead of her time.