History of the Pill
As big as a lentil and as green as a pea - 28 little globules, packed in silvery aluminium foil, were destined to change the world and start a revolution 40 years ago. But it had been a long way until then…

4000 years ago
The ancient Egyptians already had a contraceptive medicine: They grind up pomegranate seeds and, with the help of wax, formed small cones. The fruit contains a natural estrogen, and it is possible that the Egyptian mixture, like the modern pill, prevented ovulation.

1550 before Christ
What is probably the first prescription for a contraceptive is written on papyrus. Historians presume that the substance was crocodile dung, which the woman was to put into her vagina before sexual intercourse.
The Middle Ages
People used condoms made from animal gut or fish skin, sometimes even from linen. These were not effective methods of contraception; unwanted pregnancies were common.

1901
The first serious research is in progress. Physiologist Ludwig Haberlandt from Innsbruck (1885 – 1932) shows that menstruation is regulated by hormones that are produced centrally in the brain and in a woman's ovaries.

1919
In animal experiments, Haberlandt discovers the principle of the pill. He can prove that transplanting the ovaries of pregnant rabbits into non-pregnant animals inhibits ovulation.

1923 
Haberlandt injects placenta extracts in fertile animals and succeeds in making them temporarily sterile.

1928
Schering introduces Progynon®, the first hormonal drug, into the market.

1929
Adolf Butenandt (1903 – 1995), biochemist and later Nobel laureate, succeeds in isolating estrone, the first female sex hormone.

1933
Schering introduces Proluton®, the first biological progestin preparation.

1934
In Schering AG`s main laboratory the chemists Schwenk und Hildebrand develop the synthesis of estradiol. This is the beginning of modern hormone therapy.
Butenandt and other scientists isolate the sex hormone progesterone (luteal body hormone) from pigs' ovaries. 

1936
American scientists show that progesterone is able to inhibit ovulation.

1938
Schering employees Hans Inhoffen and Walter Hohlweg make history:
In the main laboratory they develop ethinylestradiol, the first oral active estrogen worldwide. Even until today this substance remains an integral content of every classic oral contraceptive. The scientists also succeed in producing the first synthetic progestin preparation

1942
American chemist Russel Marker collects wild yam roots (Dioscorea) in Mexico, and from them produces pure progesterone.

1944
Scientists Bickenbach and Paulikovics from Göttingen study the inhibition of ovulation with progesterone in women.

1950
Margaret Sanger, founder of the American Planned Parenthood federation, meets biochemist Gregory Pincus. 71-year-old Sanger convinces Pincus of the necessity of a hormonal contraceptive, collects 50,000 Dollars and funds his research.

1951
In Mexico, chemist Carl Djerassi synthesizes norethindrone, the first orally active progestin.

1956
Gregory Pincus, his colleague Dr. Min Chuh Chang and Dr. John Rock, gynecologist from Harvard, conduct the first trials with 60 female volunteers. In the same year, Pincus carries out the first large trial with 6,000 participants in Puerto Rico and Haiti – successfully.

1960
Enovid®, produced by US company Searle, is registered as a contraceptive in the United States.

1961
The Wall divides Germany into East and West. Konrad Adenauer becomes Chancellor for the fourth time. The "Twist" conquers the dancing floors. In the industry, the 45-hour week has practically been achieved. However, in retrospect, the most important event happens on 1st June 1961 - a medical revolution . Schering AG introduces Anovlar® in West Germany, the first oral contraceptive in Europe, also in Australia in the same year. It is available only in pharmacies, and only on prescription. Neither Einstein's theory of relativity nor the nuclear bomb, nor even the power of computers and the internet have had a stronger impact on humans in the 20th century than the pill, 200 leading historians have concluded.

1965
VEB Jenapharm offers Ovosiston®, the first hormonal contraceptive in East Germany.

1965 - 1968
A difficult start: In the first years, the pill is a very controversial matter in Europe. It is only recommended for regulating menstrual disorders, and only in married women. 

1968
The student revolt and the sexual revolution alter the situation. The pill becomes a symbol for societal change in the Western world. Sexuality and contraception are for the first time discussed publicly. The pill represents liberated sexuality. People – mainly women – fight for equal rights and demonstrate on the streets. Our society still profits from this today.
"Freedom for the Pill!" is the title headline of the periodical "konkret" in July 1968. The magazine asks its readers to tell them the addresses of doctors who are prepared to prescribe the pill to unmarried women. The response is overwhelming; the editors are flooded with letters. The editorial office of "konkret" becomes a sought-after contact point, without having intended this.

Early 1970's 
The sexual revolution shows its effects. The pill is no longer a bone of contention. Millions of women use it as a matter of course, which now leads to quite another problem. On 11th June 1971, the German weekly paper "Die Zeit" writes: "Panic through the Pill". Decreasing numbers of births in both East and West lead to uncertainties; the contraceptive is accused of causing "the extinction of Germans". This is a myth, as is discovered later in scientific and demographic discussions.

70's and 80's
Schering strengthens its leading role, and introduces many innovative products: 

- Neogynon® containing the new compound Levonorgestrel

- Microlut® as the first progestin-only pill, which contains only Levonorgestrel at a dosage of 0.03 milligrams 

- Microgynon® as the first ovulation inhibitor in the world that contains only 0.03 milligrams of ethinyl estradiol in addition to the progestin – former preparations contained 0.05 milligrams.

- Sequilar® as the first biphasic pill

- Diane®-35 for the treatment of acne and other signs of androgenization. At the same time, the preparation prevents    conception. 

- Triquilar® as the first triphasic contraceptive in the world.

1987 
Schering introduces Femovan®, the first pill containing the new progestin Gestodene.

90's 
By acquiring the company Jenapharm, Schering extends its product portfolio to include the promising oral contraceptive Valette®. This preparation, too, has positive cosmetic effects on the skin.
The first "long-term pill" Mirena® is introduced. In fact it is not a pill but an intrauterine system containing Levonorgestrel, which releases very small amounts of progestin (0.02 milligrams) directly into the womb over a period of five years. 

Today
The pill and other contraceptives are a normal part of life. Schering's research continues. Current product developments aim at researching new compounds, or at reducing the dosages even further, so the preparations become even better tolerated.
Schering introduces Yasmin®, the first pill containing the innovative progestin drospirenone. Drospirenone has a special feature: It counteracts the water-retentive properties of estrogen and thus does not lead to a weight gain which many women fear when starting the pill. Drospirenone was developed by Schering scientists.