1961 Sex Science journal: How much sex freedom in marriage?

Well, thank heavens we figured out the answer to that one.

1944 sex pamphlet (includes puppies).

In the pilot of our beloved show, Peggy Olson goes to the wink-wink-nudge doctor to get herself on the pill. (The man’s lack of instruction re: pill usage may have contributed to Peggy’s unfortch situation in this season, methinks.) As she waits for him to show up, she peruses a small pamplet, seen above.

“Your Wedding Night” stems from a tradition of sex-education pamphlets dating back to 1900; a woman named Ida Craddock published a series of religious-themed informational pamphlets for young women. One of them, entitled “The Wedding Night”, begins with verse: “Oh, crowning time of lovers’ raptures veiled in mystic splendor, sanctified by priestly blessing and by the benediction of all who love the lovers! How shall we chant thy praise?” (Peggy chooses to chant it with Pete Campbell.)

Other fun tips from the pamphlet:

* Do you wish to be truly a man upon the wedding night? Then forego both tobacco and alcohol upon that occasion and for a long time previously

* Do not, upon any account, use the hand for the purpose of sexual excitation at the bride’s genitals. There is but one lawful finger of love with which to approach her genitals, and this is the male organ. (No fingerbanging on the honeymoon!)

* ‘But she might never want it?’ My dear sir, you must be indeed lacking in manhood to be unable to arouse sex desire in a bride who loves you with even a halfway sort of affection.

Clearly, 1900 and 1960 are not the same thing, and though possibly Craddock’s information may have carried over, the tone of Peggy’s pamphlet is probably a little more the Medical Journal of Urology  and a little less Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.

• footnote - by Natasha Simons