April 14th, 1983. Geraldo Rivera for Eyewitness News talks to the companies and man behind this new over-the-counter contraceptive about how it works.
“Well, I’m over 35 and I smoke and there’s no way healthwise I would take the pill at this point in time…”
After speaking to women who are excited about a new option in birth control, we move to VLI Corporation and Dr. Bruce Vorhauer who dreams big, but isn’t going to count his money until the deal is done. The FDA rates the sponge at 85% effective as Mr. Vorhauer concedes only abstinence is 100%. The parents of Bruce Vorhauer are spoken to at the end of this clip, expressing relief that their son’s many years of effort have paid off.
A variety of experts are spoken to throughout; gynecologists, the president of planned parenthood, women using birth control, representatives of Healthworks Inc and more.
Bruce Vorhauer brought his VLI Corp from the bottom to the top and made a fortune with the ‘Today sponge’, but it did not last. After losing much money and defaulting on loans he took his own life in 1992.
This day, Geraldo’s television history.