There was a story I read about the first woman either going up in space. Basically NASA scientists were all excited but it occurred to them that they needed to ask her how many pads and tampons she needed in a cycle.
She answered the question honestly and the scientist did the math. Accounting for backups and “in case something goes wrong” they calculated something like 5 times what she requested for what was essentially a short mission.
Iirc she found it endearing because they cared enough about her welfare (and to ensure mission success) that the scientist devoted time and resources to make sure that she had something that only she would need.
We’ve gone from that to not wanting people to even know she existed.
Quick side note: I did a quick search and apparently there are parts of the story that have been exaggerated and changed and the details have been lost to history. However, the care, and humor, are true and still makes the point.
There was a story I read about the first woman either going up in space. Basically NASA scientists were all excited but it occurred to them that they needed to ask her how many pads and tampons she needed in a cycle.
She answered the question honestly and the scientist did the math. Accounting for backups and “in case something goes wrong” they calculated something like 5 times what she requested for what was essentially a short mission.
Iirc she found it endearing because they cared enough about her welfare (and to ensure mission success) that the scientist devoted time and resources to make sure that she had something that only she would need.
We’ve gone from that to not wanting people to even know she existed.
Quick side note: I did a quick search and apparently there are parts of the story that have been exaggerated and changed and the details have been lost to history. However, the care, and humor, are true and still makes the point.